The food and drink supply chain All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) was established this year by a cross party group of MPs to champion the food and drink supply chain in Parliament. It seeks to shine a light on a complex industry and tackle the misconceptions that exist, by providing a forum to explore the challenges it faces and what Government action is needed to overcome those issues.
The group heard that greater support is needed from the Government on school meals to ensure that growing supplier costs do not result in a reduction in quality and nutrition for children.
MPs also heard that redundancies, business closures and a sharp decline in investment are likely to follow should businesses within the food supply chain miss out on energy support after March. It comes as new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that the Government’s energy relief scheme will support businesses for just six months before means testing is introduced.
Ian Mace, head of Government affairs and policy at Associated British Foods, said: “We’ve seen the ONS data that food price inflation is approaching 15%, most commentators would believe there is some way to go, and we would certainly agree with that.”
The APPG will be issuing recommendations for Government upon the conclusion of the inquiry.