Food Security

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 25 Jul 2022 Closed: 17 Nov 2023 Parliament page
This inquiry is looking at the pressures facing the UK food supply chain and its implication of UK food security and public access to access healthy and nutritious food. You can read the terms of reference for this inquiry here . Our call for evidence ended on 30 September 2022
15 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
1 Letter
5 Events
Activity timeline 13 events
17 Nov
2023
Report published
28 Jul
2023
Report published
22 Mar
2023
Correspondence
24 Jan
2023
Oral evidence
24 Jan
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
13 Dec
2022
Oral evidence
13 Dec
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
22 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
22 Nov
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
8 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
8 Nov
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
18 Oct
2022
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
24 Jan 2023
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
David Kennedy · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rt Hon Mark Spencer · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
13 Dec 2022
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Dr Kelly Parsons · MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge Emily Hunter · The Woodland Trust Mark Tufnell · Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Professor Michael Winter, University of Exeter, Centre for Rural Policy Research Professor Tim Lang · City University London's Centre for Food Policy
22 Nov 2022
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Anna Taylor · The Food Foundation Lindsay Boswell · FareShare Maria Marshall · Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) Professor Michael Fakhri · University of Oregon School of Law
8 Nov 2022
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Andrew Opie · British Retail Consortium (BRC) David Thomson · Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Ed Barker · Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) James Walton · IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) Minette Batters · National Farmers Union Will Jackson · Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
18 Oct 2022
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Henry Dimbleby · Leon Restaurants
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - Food security HC 622 28 Jul 2023 23 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
23 results
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Food security
UK food supply resilient, but household access to healthy, affordable food remains a key concern.
The UK has demonstrated a resilient food supply during some of the most challenging events in recent times, in particular the covid-19 pandemic, the continuing Russia- Ukraine war and the UK’s departure from the EU. The role of the Government … Read more
Government Response
The government states it takes food security seriously, highlighted by the Farm to Fork Summit and an upcoming FCDO event on global food security, and will consider further events. However, it does not commit to specific actions regarding household-level access to healthy and affordable food.
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2 Conclusion Rejected
Seventh Report - Food security
UK Food Security Report is vital but outdated; Government refuses annual publication.
The UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) is a vital document to provide transparency about whether the UK will achieve each of the five elements of food security the Government is required to report on, and the associated risks to them. … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to publish an annual UK Food Security Report (UKFSR), stating that the Agriculture Act 2020 only requires it every three years, many measures are already published annually elsewhere, and the next report will be published next year.
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3 Conclusion Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Mandate the Prime Minister to chair an annual food security summit covering statutory aspects.
While we welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to chair an annual food security summit, we are disappointed that this evolved into May’s “Farm to Fork Summit” in which, although successful, food security was not the focus. This was a missed … Read more
Government Response
The government references its National Food Strategy and policies from the Farm to Fork Summit as setting its priorities, and indicates it fully considered Henry Dimbleby’s review, but does not commit to the Prime Minister chairing a dedicated annual food security summit covering the five statutory aspects.
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4 Conclusion Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Publish a fully updated annual UK Food Security Report with action and progress plans.
A fully updated edition of the UK Food Security Report should be published on an annual basis, and a month in advance of the annual food summit. This should be accompanied by an action plan for at least the next … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the need for policy coherence and strong leadership, and describes existing cross-Whitehall structures and departmental responsibilities for food supply and safety, but does not address the recommendation to publish an annual UK Food Security Report with an action plan and progress report.
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5 Conclusion Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Government Food Strategy inadequate, failing to respond fully to National Food Strategy recommendations.
The final report of the National Food Strategy independent review (NFSIR) offered not only a detailed and considered analysis of the challenges facing our food system, including food security, but also put forward achievable actions. In contrast, the Government Food … Read more
Government Response
The government deflects the recommendation regarding the perceived shortcomings of its Food Strategy and the failure to publish a detailed response to the independent National Food Strategy review by instead discussing the UK Food Security Report, stating the next iteration will be published by December 2024 and they will consider if any changes are needed.
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6 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Publish the detailed Whitehall response to each National Food Strategy independent review recommendation.
The Government should publish the detailed response to each of the NFSIR’s recommendations that it has drawn up within Whitehall as part of its response to this Report.
Government Response
The government deflects the recommendation to publish its detailed response to the National Food Strategy independent review (NFSIR) by instead stating it is considering the recommendations from 'John Shropshire's review' on workforce shortages and intends to publish a response to that review before the end of the year.
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7 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Undertake a comprehensive Cabinet Office review of departmental food policy responsibilities and structures.
There is an incoherent approach to food policy across Government. Defra is designated as the Government department responsible for food policy, but 15 other departments and agencies are involved in different elements of development and delivery. The successes of food … Read more
Government Response
The government's response completely avoids the recommendation for a Cabinet Office review of departmental responsibilities for food policy, instead discussing the UK's reliance on imported nitrogen fertiliser and the resilience of chemical supply chains.
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8 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Develop a comprehensive suite of food security indicators with targets to influence policy.
The Government Food Strategy (GFS) made only one commitment to food security: to maintain “broadly the same level in future” the UK’s current rate of self- sufficiency of 75% of commodities we can produce. Food security, though, is more than … Read more
Government Response
The government plans to publish a Land Use Framework for England this year, which will provide a long-term perspective on land uses for various aims including food security, but does not commit to developing a specific suite of food security indicators or targets.
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9 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Prioritise long-term food security by ensuring sufficient labour for the food supply chain.
We welcome the report of the Independent Review into Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Chain (the Shropshire Review), and support its recommendations regarding both skilled and seasonal migrant labour. Troublingly, the Shropshire Review has found evidence that the UK’s … Read more
Government Response
The government emphasized that food security is a multifaceted issue and it is preparing the next UK Food Security Report for publication by December 2024, but did not address the specific recommendations regarding labour shortages in the food supply chain or the Shropshire Review.
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10 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Ensure continued UK production of nitrogen fertiliser and ammonia with a six-month action plan.
Nitrogen fertiliser plays a critical role in UK food security, and the production of ammonia used in it creates large amounts of carbon dioxide gas as a by-product which is vital for the food supply chain. There is only one … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused on household food security, tracking foodbank use, and providing financial support to low-income households through schemes like the National Living Wage, Healthy Start, and free school meals, entirely avoiding the recommendation regarding nitrogen fertiliser and ammonia production.
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11 Conclusion Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Clarify Government priorities and private sector support within the forthcoming Land Use Framework.
We look forward to the publication of the Government’s Land Use Framework (LUF) for England, and welcome the report of the House of Lords’ Land Use Committee. The LUF should not be overly prescriptive, but it should make clear what … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused entirely on the eligibility criteria and cost of Free School Meals, stating it has no plans to change the current conditions but will keep them under review, thus deflecting from the recommendation about the Land Use Framework.
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12 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Change Government's position to include household affordability and access in food security.
The Food Minister said that household affordability of, and access to, food does not constitute food security. We disagree. The high and sustained rate of food price inflation means many households are having to take measures to save money like … Read more
Government Response
The government deflected by stating that the UK Mission to the UN in Geneva is in touch with the Special Procedures Branch of OHCHR regarding a visit request by the UN Special Rapporteur on Food, rather than addressing its own position on household food security.
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13 Conclusion Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Pantry model offers dignified food aid, providing choice and worthy of wider adoption.
We applaud the work being done by charities in Liverpool and around the country to support those in need of food aid. In particular, the pantry model of food aid provided a sense of dignity to users, as well as … Read more
Government Response
The government's response detailed its initiatives on healthier eating and obesity, including calorie labelling, product restrictions, and reformulation efforts, but did not address the committee's commendation of charity work or the pantry model for food aid.
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14 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Publish findings on sufficiency of household support to prevent regular food aid use
Higher food inflation and the rise in the cost of living more generally is meaning that food banks are experiencing record levels of demand this year. Earned income, not food banks, are ultimately the solution for household food insecurity. We … Read more
Government Response
The government stated it would not introduce new taxes that could increase food costs and affirmed that food affordability and access are key elements of its poverty strategy, but it did not commit to examining the sufficiency of existing support to reduce reliance on food aid or publishing findings within six months.
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15 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Urgently review and increase Free School Meals household income eligibility threshold
We welcome steps by the Government to expand free school meal (FSM) eligibility. More children are receiving FSM than ever before in England, including all infant school children. However, there is evidence that extending FSM eligibility further could reap substantial … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused on the Food Data Transparency Partnership and the delay of volume price promotion restrictions, completely deflecting from the recommendation to study and review Free School Meal eligibility criteria.
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Seventh Report - Food security
Facilitate UN Special Rapporteur's visit to assess statutory right to food in England
We support the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food’s request to undertake a Country Visit to the UK, and call for the Government to facilitate such a visit before the end of this year if Professor Fakhri … Read more
Government Response
The government states the UK has a standing invitation for UN Special Procedure mandate holders and its UN Mission is in touch with OHCHR to find suitable dates for the Special Rapporteur on Food's visit.
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17 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Respond to National Food Strategy Independent Review's analysis on health and food
The UK is in the midst of an obesity crisis and is facing a situation of around 40% of the adult population being obese by 2035. Unchecked, this will have profound consequences for the NHS. Food that is high in … Read more
Government Response
The government explains it has considered the NFSIR's review and is undertaking an ambitious programme of work on healthy weight, including existing regulations and industry engagement, with further detail on diet and obesity to be set out in the Major Conditions Strategy, intended for publication in early 2024, implicitly deferring a direct response.
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18 Recommendation Rejected
Seventh Report - Food security
Undertake and publish full impact assessment of a sugar and salt reformulation tax
The Government rejected the NFSIR’s proposals to break the junk food cycle, including the sugar and salt reformulation tax proposal. While such a tax may cause consumer prices to rise, it may lead consumers to substitute cheaper healthier Food Security … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to undertake and publish an impact assessment of a sugar and salt reformulation tax, stating it is not the right time to introduce new taxes that would increase food costs amidst cost-of-living pressures.
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19 Conclusion Accepted
Seventh Report - Food security
Require mandatory public health metrics reporting and urgent research on ultra-processed foods
The Government has set out three actions that could help encourage healthier eating. On mandatory public reporting against a set of health metrics, this should become a requirement within the next six months. Further research on ultra-processed foods as a … Read more
Government Response
The government described its existing "Better Health" campaign, which launched in July 2020, along with existing tools and regulations like voluntary front-of-pack labelling, calorie labelling, and a pilot rewards app, as efforts to encourage healthier eating, but did not commit to mandatory public reporting on health metrics or specific research on ultra-processed foods.
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20 Recommendation Not Addressed
Seventh Report - Food security
Set out detailed timetable for assessing impact of HFSS volume price promotion regulations
It is regrettable that the introduction of the ban on volume price promotions of food high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) has been further delayed to October 2025. The Government said that these delays were necessary to allow it … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its decision to delay HFSS volume price promotion restrictions until October 2025 due to cost-of-living concerns, but does not provide the requested detailed timetable for assessing the regulations' impact on consumers and businesses during this delay.
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21 Recommendation Rejected
Seventh Report - Food security
Broaden regulations to ban all HFSS food price promotions and meal deals
We are not convinced that the delay to banning certain volume price promotions for HFSS food will save consumers money, given the Government’s own analysis on this matter. Of less doubt is that it will make the fight against unhealthy … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the committee's recommendations to forecast obesity rates, broaden HFSS food promotion restrictions, ban certain meal deals, and extend coverage to all food shops, reiterating its decision to delay existing volume price promotion restrictions until October 2025 due to cost of living concerns and stating meal deals are excluded.
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22 Recommendation Not Addressed
Seventh Report - Food security
Call on supermarkets and shops to stop all HFSS food price promotions
We welcome the steps taken by Sainsbury’s and Tesco to voluntarily stop offering volume price promotions on HFSS food, and call on other supermarkets and smaller shops to swiftly follow their lead in the continue absence of legal restrictions to … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its decision to delay the implementation of HFSS volume price promotion restrictions until October 2025 due to cost-of-living concerns, and states that meal deals are excluded, but does not address the committee's call for other supermarkets and shops to voluntarily stop or further restrict HFSS promotions.
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23 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - Food security
Set out details and funding for five-year consumer education on healthy food choices
Better informing consumers about healthy, and unhealthy, food to help them to make the right choices is without doubt an important measure, and we welcome Government steps in this regard. Individuals should take responsibility for their food consumption and make … Read more
Government Response
The government response completely deflects from the recommendation to set out details for a consumer education programme, discussing general food supply responsibilities and then providing a response to a different recommendation (#5) from the report.
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Government Response AI assessment · 23 of 15 classified
Accepted 2
Acknowledged 1
Deferred 15
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 3
Total 15 recs + 8 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
22 Mar 2023 To committee Letter from the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries to the Committee regarding Food Security, dated 15 March 2023
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