British government ‘complacent about food as a national security matter’

Experts say country does not have plan to feed people in a crisis and is unprepared for future shortages

Britain does not have a plan for how to feed people in a crisis and is unprepared for potential future food shortages, according to a warning from more than 150 experts delivered to Andy Burnham.

The climate crisis, geopolitical shocks, cyber-attacks and energy outages are among the threats to food chain security, according to the open letter, which claims the government is complacent about food as a national security matter".

Establish a new system of local food resilience committees under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

Audit the UK's reliance on a few very large food companies and food imports.

Realign national food production around nutritional needs.

Create national, regional, local and community food storage schemes.

Support the decentralisation of the UK's food supply.