Boris Johnson is ready to unveil a “grow for the UK” strategy and tell farmers to produce more fruit and vegetables after record inflation.
In a big announcement expected Monday, the prime minister is ready to unveil the country’s first food strategy in 75 years.
It is due to call for changes in planning rules to facilitate the conversion of land into farms, to announce that poultry workers will be eligible for seasonal visas for migrants, and to propose that schools, prisons and hospitals be required to offer vegan option.
Plans were postponed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to put more emphasis on food security.
This is happening against the background of a growing cost of living crisis, with inflation expected to exceed 10 percent this year, according to the Bank of England.
Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, has already warned of “apocalyptic” food prices and interest rates will rise again to 1.25%.
Mr Johnson made his first visit to Tiverton and Honiton to Devon on Friday, one of two places facing by-elections later this month. The cost of living is expected to be a key factor in the vote.
The Prime Minister and Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, were due to hold a joint economic speech next week, but it has now been postponed.
Both are under pressure from senior conservatives to do more to ease the cost of living, with cabinet ministers backing calls for further reductions in fuel tariffs.
Amid attempts to reset his post as prime minister after a no-confidence vote, Mr Johnson will also propose a major Brexit bill in parliament on Monday, allowing the government to repeal parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Later in the day, he will speak on technology and innovation and their contribution to economic growth.
“The price of food has real consequences”
The food strategy that has leaked to The Telegraph will say that farmers need to be more productive and that planning rules need to be relaxed to make it easier to turn land into fruit and vegetable farms.
This will be announced during a joint visit by Mr Johnson and George Justis, Minister for the Environment, to the south-west of England.
The strategy paper, seen by The Telegraph, states that “the price of food has real implications for people across the country” and that ministers are working “to tackle poverty in the circle as we learn to live with the latest developments and manage impact the cost of living pressure ‘.
It adds: “The strategy comes at a time of significant increases in food prices, largely as a result of energy prices and worsened by events in Ukraine, which is a great challenge for people across the country.
“We are working closely with the food industry to understand the impact on prices and any mitigation measures.”
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