Five of the UK's largest supermarkets – Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, and the Co-op – have joined forces with leading charities to demand urgent action on food security from Prime Minister Andy Burnham. In a signed letter, they call for the introduction of a Good Food Bill that would create a legally binding framework to improve national food and nutrition security, public health and the resilience of the food system.
Warning of the Next Food Shock
The coalition warns that the next food shock is "not a question of if, but when." They argue that the UK's food system has become increasingly fragile, with British production of fruit and vegetables falling by 16% since 2015 and the country now importing 78% of its supply. The letter states: "Each new shock lands on a food system with less capacity to absorb it. To meet it prepared, food has to stop being an afterthought for the Government: we need mechanisms to put food high on the priority list of every part of government, both national and local."
Impact on Vulnerable Households
The letter highlights that the cost of inaction is already falling on the most vulnerable. Food insecurity now affects 15% of households with children. "Economic pressures continue to push a healthy diet further out of reach for many, with the NHS then left to pick up the bill," the supermarkets and charities write. They stress that the Good Food Bill would ensure that decisions on health, farming, planning and trade secure better access to healthy and sustainable food for everyone.
Industry and Government Responses
Sainsbury's chief executive Simon Roberts said: "Recent weeks have shown just how much pressure our food system is under. We need a more resilient food system that attracts investment, backs British farmers and helps keep affordable, nutritious food on tables across the nation. Food and farming should be at the heart of government policy."
A Government spokesperson responded by stating: "We will always protect the food security of this country to ensure that people have access to nutritious, affordable food. To help deliver this, we have focused on strengthening national food security, investing a record £11.7 billion in sustainable and profitable farming and billions more in the development of new technology and climate-resilient crops to increase yields. Alongside this, we are building stronger, more resilient food supply chains to protect Britain from potential disruptions while also taking a range of actions to keep prices down for households, including the cost of the weekly shop."
Call for Urgent Legislation
The letter specifically calls on Mr Burnham, the MP for Makerfield, to urgently introduce the Good Food Bill. The supermarkets and charities argue that the current ad-hoc approach to food policy leaves the UK vulnerable. They want food security to be embedded in every government department's priorities, ensuring that trade deals, agricultural subsidies and planning regulations all contribute to a healthier, more sustainable food system.
