Brief
Experts warn Britain lacks reserves for food crisis
A letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham signed by 180 specialists says the UK’s food system is vulnerable to climate, cyber and geopolitical shocks.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Britain cannot feed its 66 million population in a crisis, a letter delivered to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on 5 October warned, according to The Telegraph.
What happened
The letter, signed by 180 experts including academics, farmers, local‑council leaders and food‑bank workers, was handed to Burnham on Monday. It argues that climate change, cyber‑attacks, geopolitical shifts and energy shocks could severely disrupt the UK’s heavily globalised food supply, which now relies on 45‑50 % imports from Europe, South Africa, Colombia and Brazil.
What the reports add
The Telegraph notes that the UK’s “just‑in‑time” system leaves little stored food, with supplies moving directly from farms and ports to shelves. It also cites the 2024 “Prepare” website, which advises households to store enough food for 72 hours, but points out that a 2026 government survey found 29 % of respondents could not afford to do so.
What was said
Tim Lang, emeritus professor of food policy at City University and a signatory of the letter, told The Telegraph that the home‑production capacity is “woefully inadequate” for many food types and that “international food supplies can be weaponised”.
How it came about
After World War II Britain built a strategic stockpile of roughly 200,000 tonnes of food across 67 depots, but the reserves were dismantled in the 1990s. The letter references the Just in Case report, a major review for the National Preparedness Commission, which concluded the current system is vulnerable. The government’s own 2026 survey highlighted affordability issues for lower‑income households in preparing emergency stores.
Key facts
- A letter signed by 180 experts warned the UK cannot feed its 66 million people in a crisis. (telegraph.co.uk)
- Britain imports 45‑50 % of its food from countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, France, South Africa, Colombia and Brazil. (telegraph.co.uk)
- The UK’s just‑in‑time food system leaves little stored reserve, relying on continuous supply chains. (telegraph.co.uk)
- Tim Lang said the UK’s home food production is "woefully inadequate" for many food types. (telegraph.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] telegraph.co.uk — originally reported as “UK not prepared for food shortages, experts warn”
