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Food and Drink: UK Economy
01 December 2021
Lead MP
John Stevenson
Carlisle
Con
Responding Minister
Victoria Prentis
Tags
EconomyTaxationBrexit
Word Count: 10062
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
John Stevenson raised concerns about food and drink: uk economy in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should help promote the sector domestically and internationally by addressing unreasonable pressures from the health lobby, supporting productivity improvements in the supply chain, and ensuring that new regulations do not disproportionately impact the industry or lead to increased costs for consumers.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The food and drink sector is crucial for the UK economy, employing over 440,000 people directly and contributing £29 billion to GDP. It also faces challenges such as regulatory costs and labour shortages. The industry's voice needs greater recognition at the highest level of government.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
The MP highlighted the importance of food production to local economies in Orkney and Shetland, mentioning beef, lamb, seafood, whisky distilleries, breweries, gin distilleries, and artisan producers. He noted that the growth of these industries has contributed significantly to the visitor economy but expressed concern over government intervention harming agriculture through regulations on cattle shipping and transportation of live animals by sea.
Daniel Poulter
Con
Stortford
He called for better food labelling regulations to support British farmers by ensuring accurate origin information on products.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Mr Zeichner highlighted the challenges faced by workers in the food and drink sector, including violence against shopworkers, poor wages for contract workers, and labour shortages leading to wasted crops. He also raised concerns about low pay within the sector, with 40% of respondents unable to afford food on some occasions.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Food and drink manufacturing is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, contributing over £120 billion to the economy. Scotland exports almost 20% of food and drink products, despite having only 8.2% of the UK population. Dave Doogan highlighted specific challenges faced by the Scottish seed potato sector due to Brexit, including loss of EU and Northern Ireland market access, tariff issues on imported jute sacks, and restrictions on pork exports to China. He also mentioned crippling labour shortages as a major threat to the industry.
Greg Knight
Con
East Yorkshire
He highlighted labour shortages affecting the retail and farm gate sectors, particularly mentioning a lack of qualified abattoir workmen in pig farming.
James Daly
Con
Bolton North East
He expressed concern about the fishing industry's reliance on foreign markets and encouraged promoting local seafood consumption in Britain. The MP highlighted the domestic market opportunities and exports potential of the food and drink sector, emphasizing its competitiveness and the need for better promotion. Discussed the interconnectivity between the food and drink industry and markets, highlighting the challenges faced by tenanted pubs and small producers. Emphasized the need to support local businesses such as The Hearth of the Ram in Ramsbottom, which buys everything locally. Made serious points about the consumption of British fish and the need for support from Seafish.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr Shannon highlighted the impact of the pandemic and Brexit on the food and drink sector, noting a £2 billion loss in sales due to the Northern Ireland protocol. He emphasised the importance of the hospitality sector and advocated for a more localised approach to production. He also provided an overview of the diverse culinary offerings from his constituency, showcasing local companies such as Mash Direct, Lakeland Dairies, and Rademon gin.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
He suggested that public sector purchasing should prioritise domestic produce to enhance traceability, food security, and support for British products. Emphasised the need to prioritise British products and services in procurement, highlighting regulations as barriers. He also called for shortening food supply chains by purchasing locally grown produce instead of transporting it long distances.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
Acknowledged the significant strain on the hospitality industry due to the pandemic and highlighted pre-pandemic trends like the loss of 31% of pubs in Stockport between 2010 and 2020. Emphasized the need for legislative support for workers' rights, including the living wage, and protection against abuse. Discussed beer and highlighted the difficult conditions hospitality workers face, particularly during unsocial hours.
Nigel Mills
Con
Amber Valley
He pointed out labour shortages for employers during Christmas, suggesting a need for increased productivity through investment in machinery and access to additional labour.
Government Response
Victoria Prentis
Government Response
Acknowledged the contributions made by MPs regarding food and drink issues. Emphasised the importance of the sector to the UK economy, noting it is the largest manufacturing sector. Announced the publication of the Government's food strategy early next year and analysis of statistical data before December 16th. Discussed measures such as relaxing drivers' hours, temporary visa solutions for poultry workers, and pig sector mitigations like slaughter incentive payment schemes and private storage aid scheme. Mentioned tackling obesity with a priority on ensuring stringent requirements do not apply to smaller retailers. Highlighted the ambition of securing free trade agreements covering 80% of UK trade within three years and efforts to expand abroad with £23.6 billion in exports in 2019. Stressed the importance of local, seasonal, and sustainable produce in Government procurement rules. Addressed extended producer responsibility proposals aiming to shift payment for excess packaging waste from taxpayers to businesses.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.