Labour's Jim McMahon responds to the government’s recent food strategy report.

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon

The independent review of the food system, the “National Food Strategy”  has been led by Henry Dimbleby and builds on existing work across government and the actions already being taken forward by industry and other key contributors.

The recently published strategy sets out what the government will do to create a more prosperous agri-food sector that delivers healthier, more sustainable and affordable diets for all. The strategy will help ensure delivery of the governments ambition for a prosperous agri-food sector, and that healthier and more sustainable diets can be achieved by all.

Jim McMahon MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, responded to the government’s recent food strategy announcement, saying: 

“The UK is in a cost of living crisis with food prices spiralling, real-wages falling and taxes up. It is clear now that the government has absolutely no ambition to fix the mess they have created.

“A food strategy is of vital importance, but after over a year of promises the Government has failed to deliver much more than a new slogan. 

“The Government themselves say the food industry is bigger than the automotive and aerospace industries combined, yet all they have done is re-announce existing funding. Just days after Britain's biggest fertiliser producer announced the closure of one of its plants, there is nothing in here to tackle this growing crisis.”

“This is nothing more than a statement of vague intentions, not a concrete proposal to tackle the major issues facing our country. To call it a food strategy is bordering on the preposterous.  Yet again this tired, out of ideas Conservative government is failing to show the ambition our country needs."

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