Political Print
POLITICAL PRINT: Reeves’s war on red tape risks coming unstuck
The chancellor’s determination to remove the burden of regulation is not what responsible businesses or the public say they want, says Nick Hughes. “Today we are taking further action to free businesses from the shackles of regulation. By cutting red… Read More
POLITICAL PRINT: Producers pay the price for broken system
Defra’s decision to suddenly shut its sustainable farming scheme exposes a number of hard truths about fixing our broken food system. By David Burrows. On Tuesday last week the sustainable farming incentive (SFI) snapped shut. The budget for the 2024… Read More
Political Print: Labour needs allies to deliver meaningful reform
Repairing relationships with farmers and businesses, whilst putting the UK on a path to food security and nature recovery, will require the kind of political fleet of foot that has thus far eluded the new government, says Nick Hughes. Farmers… Read More
Political Print: Labour needs a food vision fit for the future
The new government has shown an early willingness to intervene in the market but lacks a cross-cutting strategy to deal with food system challenges. By Nick Hughes. In sprinting parlance, the first hundred days of a new government are an… Read More
Political Print: Will food issues reach the election summit?
Rishi Sunak’s decision to call an early vote has scuppered a number of planned policies despite signs that food is rising up the political agenda. By Nick Hughes. Tick tock, tick tock… and so continues the countdown to a UK… Read More
Political Print: More jokers than aces as Sunak shuffles pack
Can new Defra secretary Steve Barclay move the department beyond scandal and stagnation? Don’t bank on it, says David Burrows A cabinet reshuffle often has me scrolling through Wikipedia to refresh my memory of ministers past and present. And so… Read More
Political Print: Sunak drives green wedge between Tories and Labour
The breaking of the political consensus on net-zero has put clear water between the two main parties, but progressive food policy proposals remain patchy. Nick Hughes reports. As another party conference season recedes in the rear view mirror voters have… Read More
Political Print: New face, but environmental policy remains a farce
The new secretary of state for net-zero is thought to be greener than her predecessor but this government is setting the bar incredibly low. By David Burrows. Someone called Coutinho is the new energy security and net-zero secretary. Never heard… Read More
Political Print: Comical food policy is no laughing matter
A scathing attack on ministers by a leading financial analyst reveals the depth of despair felt at the government’s failure to deal with food system challenges. Nick Hughes reports. “The UK food system, the largest industry in the country by… Read More
Political Print: UK dithers in race to zero
Mainstream business groups are agitating for policies that will drive a green industrial revolution, but ministers are still not listening. Nick Hughes reports. Last month I made an impassioned plea for business leaders who want to see the government adopt stronger sustainability… Read More