As voters prepare to head to the polls in national elections in Scotland and Wales, and in local elections across England this May, Labour faces scrutiny not just in Westminster but across the UK’s devolved and local administrations. Polling shows the party needs tangible policy wins that resonate beyond Westminster [1]. Could a focus on food policy hold the answer?
Last summer, the UK Government launched its ‘Good Food Cycle’ to “transform Britain's food system ” and enable “healthier eating, stronger food security and greener supply chains ” [2]. Laudable ambitions which were widely welcomed. Eating Better, an alliance of 70+ food focussed organisations, saw the announcement as a step in the right direction and a long overdue commitment to putting food further up the political agenda. It could enable healthier eating, stronger food security and greener supply chains - meaning the production and consumption of food more able to nourish us and the planet.
We recognise that the Good Food Cycle must include addressing the role our diets have to play in the food system. For example, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) advises a 20–30% reduction in meat and dairy consumption by 2030–2035 (rising to 35% for meat by 2050) to meet UK climate targets and benefit population health. Without a stronger food policy framework these targets are unlikely to be met. Further, a recent UK Government report linked national security to ecosystem breakdown and climate change and warned a ‘wholesale’ shift in what we eat and grow is needed to reduce this risk and build resilience [3].
Over the years, we’ve seen Governments accused of nanny statism when they try to take a more active role in setting food policies. However, people’s consumption is already heavily influenced by the food environments that surround them and the existing policy framework which enables those environments.
The food environment - defined as the spaces and places we experience the food system - is a key driver of how easy easy (or not) it is to follow a healthy and sustainable diet. Fast-food outlets that dominate high streets, the lack of access to fresh, affordable, convenient and healthy foods for people living on low incomes, and the saturation of HFSS (High fat salt and sugar) advertising on our high streets and online all add up to a food environment that heavily shapes what we consume. Research by youth food campaigning group Biteback estimates that “the top 25 food and drink spenders spent £418 million on outdoor advertising in the UK” in 2024 [4].
The good news for Labour is that the majority of people want the opportunity to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Food Foundation and FFCC’s work with citizens as part of the ‘Citizen Advisory Council’ is evidence of the support for regulating our food system, whilst Eating Better’s annual polling shows that people are consistently (60%+) open to reducing their meat and dairy intake [5] [6]. The cost of living is also the top concern amongst Labour voters according to YouGov, with food a key part of overall household expenditure at 11% [7] [8].
Farmers also want to see changes: 83% surveyed said funding should be used to encourage less industrial meat production, according to the Nature Friendly Farming Network.
Source: https://www.nffn.org.uk/news/uk-farmers-back-nature-friendly-livestock-farming-but-warn-support-is-missing
With this in mind, at Eating Better, we recently published 17 recommendations as part of a Food Strategy Alliance which includes Sustain, The Obesity Health Alliance, Wildlife and Countryside Link and Plant Based Food Alliance, to support the UK Government in achieving their Good Food Cycle vision.[9].
We represent over 160 organisations and wrote to the DEFRA Ministers Emma Reynolds and Angela Eagle, calling on the UK Government to introduce a Food Bill and strengthen the sustainable farming budget.
Back to the question of whether a focus on food could help Labour politically, the answer is a resounding yes. It can improve people's health and wellbeing, offer opportunities to grow the economy and provide domestic nutrition security in an increasingly insecure world. The real question for this Labour Government is: do they want to get on the front foot to ensure nobody in the UK - including our farmers - is left behind?
With the Good Food Cycle action plan expected in Spring, the Government must seize this opportunity to enact food policy that works for the many, rather than the few.
