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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Josie Clarke

Burnham urged to make food security a priority like energy and defence

  • UK food prices are projected to be 50 per cent higher by November compared to mid-2021 levels, according to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank.
  • A broad coalition, including major supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury's, alongside charities such as Barnardo's and WWF-UK, has urged Andy Burnham to make food security a national priority.
  • The group sent a letter warning that the next “food shock” is inevitable and called for a Good Food Bill to establish a legally binding framework for food and nutrition security.
  • The proposed Good Food Bill would aim to improve public health and food system resilience, setting targets for reducing childhood obesity, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and decreasing household food insecurity.
  • The letter highlights the UK's vulnerability, noting that British fruit and vegetable production has fallen 16 per cent since 2015, with 78 per cent of supply now imported, making the nation susceptible to international shocks and extreme weather.

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