Alarm raised as government may axe pledge to serve British-grown food in schools and hospitals
10th February 2025
Farming campaigners raised concerns that the government may back away from the pledge to serve British-grown food in schools and hospitals in the scramble for spending cuts.
The move would be a fresh hammer blow to farmers who are already in national revolt after being hit by massive tax hikes, The Sun has reported.
The food row comes as hundreds of farmers prepare to descend on Parliament in their tractors later today to protest at the family farm tax. Today, Parliament is also set to debate a giant petition calling for the Budget measure to be halted.
Prior to the general election, Sir Keir Starmer promised that at least 50 per cent of food served by the state would be British grown or hit the same high standards.
His manifesto vow was seen as a major boost for UK farmers by providing them with big new customers and was welcomed by the agricultural sector.
READ MORE: Everything you should know about Monday’s tractor rally in London
‘Another kick in the teeth for British farmers’
The public procurement of food encompasses a spend of over £2.4 billion in organisations such as schools, the military and hospitals.
Campaigners argue British farmers deliver high-quality, fresh, seasonal and affordable food and that by investing in the nation’s food production system, the government can capitalise on the benefits that our agri-food economy delivers.
But Whitehall sources admitted the pledge comes with a price tag, and there are fears it could be chopped in Rachel Reeves’ scramble for cuts.
Speaking to the Sun, Mo Metcalf-Fisher, from the Countryside Alliance, said: “The government made a welcome promise to fly the flag for British farmers by serving home-grown food in its hospitals and schools.
“Any backsliding on this pledge would be another kick in the teeth for British farmers.
“Rachel Reeves and the government needs to say when it will hit this 50 per cent target and how we will get there. We cannot have another broken promise.”
Victoria Atkins, Conservative Shadow Farming Secretary, commented on the news: “The government has already betrayed farmers by hiking their inheritance tax- they must not betray them on this too.”
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