Our reaction to the King's Speech

The government laid out its legislative priorities during the King's Speech today - but there was no mention of food.

Thirty-seven bills were announced by King Charles, at the State Opening of Parliament, including steps to "control the cost of living".

However, measures to improve the food system and help families struggling to afford healthy food were not included.

Our Executive Director Anna Taylor, speaking on behalf of the Good Food Bill Campaign, said: "Despite huge pressures on household food bills, it is remarkable that today's King's Speech did not feature food at all.

"Food prices are a huge concern of the British public - cited by 92% of consumers in the most recent Food Standards Agency tracker, with 60% highly concerned, the highest level on record (FSA Consumer Insights Tracker, December 2025).

"Conflict in the Middle East is disrupting the supply chains that feed this country. A third of families continue to struggle to afford a healthy diet. British fruit and vegetable production has fallen 16% in a decade, and climate change is projected to drive food inflation up by a third by 2050. Yet the government chose silence.

"Food security is no less urgent than energy security. When this country faced an energy crisis, it legislated. Binding targets, long-term frameworks, statutory duties - these are what turned aspiration into action. Our food system deserves the same treatment.

"Over 100 businesses, investors and civil society organisations have called for a Good Food Bill. A presentation bill has already been tabled in the House of Commons. The political conditions are there; what is missing is political will.

"We call on the government to bring forward food legislation before the end of this Parliament. The next food shock is not a question of if, but when. The cost of waiting will be measured in NHS waiting lists, food bank queues, and communities that have simply run out of options."