Report calls for cross-government national strategy to strengthen UK food security resilience through to 2050
The UK government must urgently “rewire” its approach to food policy if it is to safeguard consumers against future supply chain shocks, according to a new report calling for a long-term national strategy to strengthen the resilience of the food system.
Produced by London Economics and Associated British Foods (ABF), the report calls for a National Strategy for Food Resilience to 2050, bringing together food production, manufacturing, trade and supply chains under a coordinated, cross-government approach.
Launched at a parliamentary event on 10 November, the report highlights a series of growing pressures on the UK food system, including a 40 per cent rise in food prices since 2020, high industrial energy costs, climate change, environmental degradation and the loss of high-quality farmland across England and Wales.
The report outlined how the UK’s £162bn agri-food sector supports approximately 4.1mn jobs, around 12 per cent of the British workforce, with food and drink manufacturing alone contributing £39bn to the economy.
It warned that these challenges risk undermining the long-term resilience of food supplies unless policymakers take a more joined-up approach to balancing affordability, economic growth, public health, environmental protection and supply security.
George Weston, chief executive officer at ABF, said: “The challenges facing our food system are growing and so food security can’t be taken for granted. The response requires a more joined-up and urgent approach from policymakers.”
Alongside the proposed national strategy, the report recommends annual progress reporting against food resilience targets, a review of how tax and business rates affect long-term investment and greater support for productivity-enhancing investment.
Other proposed measures include tackling high industrial energy costs, making food resilience central to trade policy and exploring a dedicated food manufacturing sector plan, John Curnow, partner at London Economics, said: “Our research shows that resilience depends on both strong domestic production and international trade.
“Government has a critical role to play in identifying vulnerabilities across the food system, addressing risks and ensuring that the right policies are in place to safeguard food supplies for the future.”
Other proposed UK legislation includes the Good Food Bill, which calls for a legally binding, long-term framework for the country’s food, farming, health and envrionmental policies.
The Good Food Bill is led by organisations such as the Food Foundation, Sustain and the Green Alliance and backed by major retailers.
