Our reaction to the Autumn Budget

The Food Foundation response to the Autumn Budget

The government today presented its first Budget since the General Election, setting out its spending plans for the 'foreseeable future'.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves described it as a financial plan to fix the economy and the NHS, protect working people and rebuild Britain.

But were there any measures to improve our food system?

Anna Taylor, Executive Director of The Food Foundation, said: "This budget clearly sought to support people in work. The rise in the national living wage is, for instance, a step in the right direction.

"We are concerned however children, particularly those in the poorest households, have been overlooked.

"While the Household Support Fund, which helps families to buy essentials like food, will continue for another year, it still has no long-term security.

"The £30 million towards primary school breakfast clubs is still only 10% of what was promised in the Labour manifesto.

"Meanwhile, the issue of school lunches drags on. We still have 900,000 children living in poverty in England who do not get a free hot meal at lunchtime. Those children should be a priority for a Labour government.

"Proposals to raise the Soft Drinks Industry Levy with inflation are sensible, and overdue.

"It is not, however, anywhere near enough to meet the Government’s promise for the ‘healthiest generation of children ever."