The NPC’s comprehensive report concludes that significant changes are required to ensure the UK’s food policy is adequately prepared
The National Preparedness Commission (NPC) has issued an urgent warning regarding the fragile state of food security in the United Kingdom. In a report published this morning, the Commission emphasises the need for immediate action to protect the nation’s food supply from increasing global pressures, including climate change, geopolitical instability, extreme weather events, fragile supply chains, and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NPC’s comprehensive report concludes that significant changes are required to ensure the UK’s food policy is adequately prepared. It provides a vital framework for making the country’s food systems resilient, sustainable, and capable of feeding the nation in both normal and extraordinary circumstances. Authored by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Emeritus of Food Policy at City, St George’s, University of London, the report titled Just in Case: 7 Steps to Narrow the UK Civil Food Resilience Gap calls for a decisive shift from reactive food policies to proactive, community-led resilience planning. It examines in detail how the British public can be better prepared for food security challenges.
Serving as a rallying cry for policymakers, the report draws on lessons from ten countries to underscore the urgency of integrating food resilience into national policy. It proposes a strategic shift from “just-in-time” to “just-in-case” logistics. By highlighting the convergence of various threats, the Just in Case framework offers a blueprint for stability and preparedness, recommending a coordinated approach involving government, industry, and, crucially, civil society.
