Ian Barton

📢 Big news: UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced landmark new government plans to treble the amount of surplus food made available for redistribution in the UK. The move aims to tackle both food waste and food poverty at a time when many households continue to face cost of living pressures. Our CEO, Catherine David, has welcomed the announcement: “The Prime Minister’s announcement of a national programme to treble the redistribution of surplus food to people and communities across the UK is a vital step forward. WRAP supports the organisations on the front line of this critical work, as well as the incredible work of the King’s Coronation Food Project. "I’m delighted WRAP was part of the discussions helping to shape this national ambition. Redistribution has a critical role to play, supporting stretched households while reducing the enormous financial and environmental cost of good food going to waste. We must also recognise the huge opportunity to prevent food waste from happening in the first place, particularly in our homes. Home is where most of the UK’s food waste occurs, which can cost a family of four an average of £1,000 – and we know that over 70% of people are worried by rising food prices. "At a time when households are under growing financial pressure, tackling household food waste is one of the most immediate ways we can help people save money, strengthen food security and build resilience for the future. "Today, with supply chains straining under geopolitical disruption and the cost of living continuing to rise, we must treat food as the precious resource it is. We cannot afford, economically, environmentally or socially, for wasting food to remain the norm. Whether in the fields, factories, shops, restaurants or our own kitchens, reducing food waste must become a shared national effort. “As our world becomes an ever more unpredictable place, wasting food is a cost we can no longer afford to ignore and we are talking with key partners in government, the food sector, the media, philanthropists and innovators to tackle the food bills crisis in people's homes. We call on all partners to step forward and step up their efforts in the weeks and months ahead.”

🚨 NEW: Politics UK understands around 1,600 new members have joined Labour since last Thursday The vast majority cited support for Keir Starmer as the reason