Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Security trumps obesity in Britain's first food strategy

Shrinkflation, Rising food and grocery prices in UK
Representative iStock image
Getty Images/iStockphoto

Britain will set out its first national food strategy on Monday, focused on increasing domestic production to boost food security rather than on tackling obesity after a recommendation to tax salt and sugar in processed food was rejected.

The government said Russia's invasion of Ukraine had hit food supplies and caused prices to spike, underlining the need to boost Britain's food security.


The plan will broadly maintain the current level of food produced domestically, while boosting output in some sectors such as horticulture and seafood, it said.

Farming will receive a total of £270 million of investment in innovation until 2029, it said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the strategy would support farmers and help protect food supplies against future economic shocks.

"Harnessing new technologies and innovation, we will grow and eat more of our own food - unlocking jobs across the country and growing the economy, which in turn will ultimately help to reduce pressure on prices," he said in a statement.

The strategy follows an independent review by restaurateur Henry Dimbleby last year, which included a recommendation to tax salt and sugar to incentivise manufacturers to reduce their use.

The measure was not included in the strategy.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said the government had accepted most of Dimbleby's recommendations, with policy initiatives to boost health and sustainability, while also recognising the challenges of the war in Ukraine and the impact of the pandemic on the global economy.

The opposition Labour Party said the government had failed to deliver much more than a new slogan and the re-announcement of existing funding.

"The UK is in a cost-of-living crisis with food prices spiralling, real wages falling and taxes up," said Jim McMahon, the party's environment, food and rural affairs spokesperson.

"It is clear now that the government has absolutely no ambition to fix the mess they have created."

More for you

Illegal vape seizures in Essex surge by 14,000%, highlighting the growing black market and calls for stricter regulations

Essex sees shocking 14,000 per cent surge in illegal vape seizures

Essex has seen a staggering rise of over 14,000 per cent in illegal vape seizures in the past 12 months, a new report has revealed.

The shocking figures place the county just behind the London Borough of Hillingdon for total seizures - which leading industry expert, Ben Johnson, Founder of Riot Labs, attributes to its proximity to Heathrow airport.

Keep ReadingShow less
long-term effects of vaping on children UK study
Photo: iStock

Vaping: Government begins decade-long child health study

Britain will investigate the long-term effects of vaping on children as young as eight in a decade-long study of their health and behaviour, the government said on Wednesday.

The government has been cracking down on the rapid rise of vaping among children, with estimates showing a quarter of 11- to 15-year-olds have tried it out.

Keep ReadingShow less
United Wholesale Dominates 2025 Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards

Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards

Scottish Wholesale Association

Scottish wholesalers celebrated at annual awards

United Wholesale, JW Filshill and CJ Lang & Sons emerged as the stars of Scotland wholesale world in the recently held annual Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards.

Achievers, now in its 22nd year and organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association, recognises excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry and the achievements that have made a difference to individuals, communities and businesses over the last year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Self-checkout tills at UK grocery store

Self-checkout at grocery store

iStock image

Debate heats up as community group calls to boycott self-checkouts

While a community group recently criticised self-service checkouts, saying automation lacks the "feel good factor", retailers maintain that rise in the trend is a response to changing consumer behaviour and the need of the hour.

Taking aim at self-checkouts in stores, Bridgwater Senior Citizens' Forum recently stated that such automation is replacing workers and damaging customer service.

Keep ReadingShow less