Food Security

Baroness Carberry of Muswell Hill Excerpts

Monday 29th June 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Carberry of Muswell Hill]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current condition of UK food security.

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Katz) (Lab)]

My Lords, the UK has a secure and resilient food system, built on strong domestic production and diverse trade relationships that provide a stable supply and safe food despite recent global crises. Defra lays the UK Food Security Report in Parliament every three years, providing a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of food security. The next report will be released in 2027. In the intervening years, a shorter UK Food Security Digest is published.

[Baroness Carberry of Muswell Hill (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that reply, and I congratulate the Government on today’s publication of the farming road map, with its recognition that the UK’s food system is vulnerable. Food manufacturing is a vital contributor, among several others, to the UK’s food resilience. It is the biggest manufacturing sector by turnover and supports almost half a million jobs in our economy. Will the Government therefore consider treating food manufacturing as a strategically important sector, with the associated support that that would bring?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

My noble friend is of course entirely correct to underline the importance of the food manufacturing sector and the fact that the Government’s new farming road map recognises it as an important part of the food supply chain. We are supporting food manufacturers with export support, innovation funding and growth programmes; we are working with industry to address barriers such as regulation and labour shortages; and we are strengthening supply chain resilience by monitoring risks and improving preparedness for shocks, and considering targeted interventions where appropriate.

We are driving growth and innovation by funding research and development, including £25 million from Defra and nearly £50 million from UK Research and Innovation. Alongside this, we are working across government to improve market access for UK food and drink exports, to support healthier and more sustainable products and to provide the long-term stability that businesses need to invest. Taken together, these actions are helping to build a more productive, resilient and competitive UK food sector, supporting jobs, growth and food security.