Keep Britain Tidy’s latest initiative sees 41% drop in littering behaviour

Have you ever left a newspaper on a public bench or an empty coffee cup at a bus stop? According to new research by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, more than one in four people (26%) in Heckmondwike admit to this behaviour – known as ‘careful littering’. But the message is simple: It’s still littering.

Now, as part of the Love Where You Live Heckmondwike campaign – a community-led effort to tackle litter and restore local pride – Keep Britain Tidy is challenging residents to rethink what littering looks like. And already, a 41% reduction in littering in areas running the ‘still littering’ behavior change intervention has been recorded in Heckmondwike since the campaign began.

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “You might think you’re doing the right thing or think it’s harmless to leave a bit of packaging neatly on a ledge or bench – after all you didn’t throw it on the ground. But it’s littering all the same and the damage is real.

“Litter not only wrecks the environment, but it also undermines our sense of pride, affects our mental wellbeing, makes us all feel unsafe and lowers property values. With Love Where You Live Heckmondwike and the effective initiatives across the town, we’re seeing that by working together, small changes in behaviour can make a big difference to everyone. Let’s keep that momentum going, don’t place litter anywhere and love where you live.”

A community on a mission

A recent local survey found more than a third (37%*) of Heckmondwike residents do not feel proud to live in the area, and national research by Keep Britain Tidy has shown that living in a heavily littered area can have a negative impact on our mental health*.

But there’s hope. Nearly half (44%) agree that people in the area are willing to work together to make a difference to the way the areas looks. Throughout the campaign, Heckmondwike will see:

School-led clean-up events
Litter-picking days
Business partnerships to keep public areas clean
Tackling of persistent problems such as dog mess, fly-tipping, and cigarette litter

The campaign is a pilot for best-practice litter reduction, with findings intended to shape recommendations for litter reduction efforts across the UK.

Litter reductions as a result of the interventions placed in Heckmondwike are being closely monitored by Kirklees Council, who are working closely with Keep Britain Tidy on the project.

Councillor Amanda Pinnock, Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment at Kirklees Council said:“Unfortunately littering has become a real issue in our communities and changing people’s behaviour about this is a really important part of our wider ambition to have a cleaner and greener Kirklees for everyone. Through our partnership with Keep Britain Tidy, this project in Heckmondwike aims to highlight how even the smallest and unintentional actions can still count as littering. By changing people’s behaviour about littering, we can have cleaner towns and greenspaces to enjoy for longer.”

Love Where You Live Heckmondwike is part of the Litter Pact project by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, with support from Kirklees Council, and leading food and drinks brands Coca-Cola, KFC, Mars Wrigley, McDonald’s and Nestlé with the aim of investing in research and programmes to reduce litter. The campaign is being closely watched as a test model for broader adoption across the UK.

• MP Kim Leadbeater presents cheque to Rainbow Baby Bank in Heckmondwike
• Residents raise funds by binning litter as part of Keep Britain Tidy initiative

The simple act of binning litter in Heckmondwike’s Market Square has raised £500 for a vital local baby charity, and it’s just the start of a community-wide campaign from Keep Britain Tidy bringing pride back to the town centre.

Part of the wider Love Where You Live: Heckmondwike initiative, which is inviting residents and businesses to reconnect with their community and play a part in making their environment cleaner, greener and more cared for, Bin it For Good sees good causes rewarded for local people’s responsible litter disposal. The first month of the campaign has seen an incredible 52% reduction in litter on the ground.

The more rubbish correctly disposed of in Market Square’s new smart bins, the higher the donation to a local charity — up to £500 per month. Rainbow Baby Bank is the first of three much-loved local charities, all nominated and voted for by Heckmondwike residents, which will benefit from the initiative. The more that locals and visitors bin their litter, the more money the charities will receive.

On presenting the cheque, Kim Leadbeater MBE, Labour MP for Spen Valley, said: “I’m thrilled to be able to present this donation. It’s inspiring to see such a simple idea making a big difference, both in keeping Heckmondwike cleaner and supporting brilliant local causes.”

Rainbow Baby Bank is a registered charity based in the heart of Heckmondwike town centre which helps disadvantaged families, both locally and across Kirklees, with new and pre-loved baby essentials.

Samantha Cottam, Rainbow Baby Bank Manager, said: “We all want to see a cleaner, tidier Heckmondwike and we’re doing this together by supporting this fantastic initiative. The money that has been raised, by simply disposing of rubbish, will make a huge difference to our charity. The number of families needing our help has increased dramatically due to the cost of living crisis. Small charities, like ours, need your support more than ever.”

Residents are encouraged to keep binning their litter in Market Square, with donations now supporting Brighter Grays and, from August, food bank Magic Wishing Well.

A spokesperson for Brighter Grays said: “We are very passionate about Heckmondwike as this is where our groups first began and where our office is now based. It feels like home to us! The ‘Bin it for good’ project is a fantastic idea which both means people re playing a part in keeping Heckmondwike tidy and also supporting Brighter Grays, ensuring we can continue to provide our much-needed service.”

Bin it for Good is the first of a year-long initiative inviting the local people of Heckmondwike to reconnect with their community and play a part in making their environment cleaner, greener and more cared for.

Love Where You Live Heckmondwike is part of the Litter Pact project by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, with support from Kirklees Council, and leading food and drinks brands Coca-Cola, KFC, Mars Wrigley, McDonald’s and Nestlé with the aim of investing in research and programmes to reduce litter. The campaign is being closely watched as a test model for broader adoption across the UK.

Students from 12 London primary schools sold school-grown fruit and veg at iconic market
All proceeds will be donated to redistribution charity Plan Zheroes, tackling food poverty

The Young Marketeers Summer Market Day returned to Borough Market on Thursday 3 July 2025, with 60 pupils from 12 London primary schools setting out their stalls in one of the capital’s most iconic food markets. The children sold a selection of fruit and vegetables they had grown from seed in their school gardens, raising a total of £730.08 for Borough Market’s food waste charity partner, Plan Zheroes.

The Young Marketeers programme, now in its 14th year, is a partnership between charity School Food Matters and Borough Market, itself a charitable trust. Through the programme, pupils not only learn how to grow fresh seasonal food, but they also gain first-hand experience of running a business and receive expert training from Borough Market’s traders on how to be confident and engage customers. The children joined traders such as Hickson & Daughter, Raya and Northfield Farm in March to learn what it takes to be a brilliant market operator.

This summer’s budding market traders offered up an impressive homegrown harvest, including beetroot, French beans, lettuce, salad leaves, peas, carrots and Chinese radishes, all nurtured by the children in their school gardens.

learned how to care for their crops with former Blue Peter gardener and horticultural expert Chris Collins. Each school also received a visit from a School Food Matters gardener to check on progress and give growing advice.

This year’s Summer Market Day continued to support the food redistribution charity Plan Zheroes. Since 2014, Plan Zheroes has been collecting surplus food from Borough Market’s traders and delivering it to charities and community groups across London. In that time the partnership has repurposed over 151,000kg of food and provided 360,594 meals for Londoners, with their volunteers visiting the Market six days a week.

The brief

The UK generates some of the highest levels of electronic waste in the world, with millions of unused devices sitting idle in homes. Virgin Media O2 and environmental charity Hubbub launched the Time After Time fund to spark practical behaviour change around tech repair, reuse and recycling, while also tackling digital exclusion. Barley was asked to raise national and local awareness of the fund and its community projects, drive participation and encourage people to take tangible action on e-waste.

Insights and approach

Our insight was clear: e-waste feels abstract until it becomes a local story. Communities needed to see the social and personal value of reuse — not just the environmental case.

We developed a targeted media-relations strategy rooted in real-world stories from the 18 funded projects. By tailoring press releases for regional outlets and elevating compelling human narratives — such as neurodivergent volunteers gaining new skills, or a refugee accessing education with a refurbished laptop — we created emotional connection and relevance.

Our outreach combined regional amplification with national and trade engagement, ensuring strong visibility for the fund’s impact and opportunities for public involvement. Close collaboration with project partners helped surface authentic case studies and barriers to participation, enabling us to frame repair and reuse as achievable, beneficial actions.

Our focused approach ensured every story worked hard to inspire change and spotlight the fund’s contribution to both environmental sustainability and digital inclusion.

Results

he campaign successfully shifted awareness of e-waste from a niche environmental topic to an issue with deep community relevance. Engagement was strong, with thousands taking practical steps such as donating unused tech or repairing devices — directly supporting the fund’s aims of reducing waste and increasing access to digital opportunities.

Projects reported immediate surges in device donations following media coverage, and several initiatives expanded their teams to create inclusive training and employment opportunities. By linking environmental action to skills, education and community support, the campaign delivered meaningful, lasting behaviour change.

The brief

Leadenhall Market is one of London’s most iconic Victorian marketplaces, but like many destinations in the Square Mile, it faced a familiar challenge: attracting visitors beyond the traditional working week.

The City of London appointed Barley Communications to develop a long-term communications and marketing strategy that would reposition Leadenhall as a vibrant cultural destination while respecting its rich heritage. A key objective was to increase weekend footfall, encourage longer dwell times, support tenant businesses and attract new audiences without losing the character that makes the Market unique.

Insights and approach

Our insight was simple: people already loved Leadenhall’s architecture and history, but they needed a compelling reason to stay.

We developed the creative platform “Bringing the markets back to Leadenhall”, reviving traditional weekend market trading for the first time in more than 40 years. Rather than creating one-off events, we built a programme of curated vintage, craft and artisan markets that celebrated the Market’s heritage while giving contemporary audiences a new reason to visit.

Barley managed the campaign end to end, from sourcing specialist market operators and designing the visitor experience to media relations, influencer engagement, paid and organic social media, event delivery and stakeholder management.

We worked closely with the City of London, market tenants and cultural partners to ensure the markets complemented existing businesses, increased footfall across the site and supported wider ambitions to make the Square Mile a destination seven days a week. Strategic media relations, influencer breakfasts and highly visual social content helped position Leadenhall as one of London’s must-visit heritage destinations while generating sustained interest throughout the programme.

The results

The return of the Weekend Markets transformed perceptions of Leadenhall Market from a weekday retail destination into a thriving cultural and leisure destination with year-round appeal.

The campaign generated coverage across BBC Radio London, Secret London and Londonist, while partnerships with Destination City, Eastern City BID and other City organisations amplified the campaign to new audiences. Visitors were encouraged not simply to pass through the Market but to spend time exploring its independent retailers, food and drink businesses and curated market stalls.

The success of the programme led to the Weekend Markets returning for an extended season in 2025, demonstrating their long-term value to both the City of London and Leadenhall’s tenants. Alongside stronger visitor engagement, the campaign helped attract new businesses to the Market and reinforced Leadenhall’s position as one of London’s leading heritage destinations.

Keep Britain Tidy launches Love where you live:

Town chosen to be at the centre of a bold new community pride campaign
Call for residents, businesses and schools to get on board

A powerful new campaign is launching this week in Heckmondwike to encourage residents to take pride in their town and tackle litter together. The Love Where You Live: Heckmondwike initiative is inviting local people to reconnect with their community and play a part in making their environment cleaner, greener and more cared for.

The pioneering new approach launches amidst growing concerns about litter, fly-tipping and lack of public engagement and will see a number of initiatives rolled out in the community over the coming months. The first, ‘Bin It For Good’, launches today and will see local causes rewarded for responsible litter disposal – a tried and tested idea that is proven to reduce litter by up to 80%.

Every piece of rubbish binned in Market Square’s high-visibility smart bins will count toward donations to three much-loved local charities, all nominated and voted for by Heckmondwike residents. The more that locals and visitors bin their litter, the more money the following charities will receive*.

Rainbow Baby Bank – provides disadvantaged families and mothers-to-be with new and pre-loved baby equipment, nappies, toiletries, clothing, baby food and infant formula after professional referral – fundraising will go live on June 9

Brighter Grays – offers support to children and their families who have suffered a bereavement. The charity was started by a local mum after her husband and the father of her daughter, Lacie, died in 2021 and she found there was very little help available for grieving children – fundraising will go live on July 7

Magic Wishing Well – Heckmondwike Food Bank – fundraising will go live on August 4

A recent survey of Heckmondwike residents showed just 56% say they love where they live – 10% below the national average. To give wider context, A Rubbish Reality report published by Keep Britain Tidy earlier this year showed more than 90% of sites across England surveyed over the past 10 years contained litter and almost three times as much litter was found in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived.

Over the next year, Heckmondwike will see everything from school-led clean-ups and litter-picking days to business partnerships and initiatives tackling specific issues like dog mess, fly-tipping and cigarette litter. The aim is to empower the community with the tools and incentives they need to help make a real difference. The impact of each initiative will be carefully measured with the aim of creating a blueprint for other towns facing similar issues.

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Litter impacts people’s mental health. It makes people feel depressed and it deters business investment and affects property prices. A clean and tidy environment on people’s doorsteps can improve feelings of wellbeing, pride and community cohesion and is also likely to reduce anti-social behaviour – this is possible if everyone pulls together.

“There is a strong public desire to ‘turn off the tap’ of litter, rather than ‘mop up the problem’ and we’re really encouraged that nearly half of Heckmondwike residents told us they’re willing to take action to make a difference. We look forward to sharing our learnings and inspiring other areas of the country facing similar issues.”

Kim Leadbeater MBE, Labour MP for Spen Valley, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for my home town of Heckmondwike. This campaign isn’t just about litter – it’s about community transformation. Everyone has a role to play and I’m looking forward to seeing our brilliant local businesses, schools and residents get behind it. We want everyone to be able to say they love living here.

“The Bin It for Good initiative is a great starting point and will not only help keep our town clean and beautiful, but will help support charities that do incredible work in our community. I hope other towns across the country will soon be following our lead.”

Councillor Amanda Pinnock, Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment at Kirklees Council, said: “We’re working towards making Heckmondwike town centre better for everyone, with our Heckmondwike Blueprint schemes already beginning to take shape and benefitting local people. Campaigns like this will help to ensure the town centre remains a pleasant, enjoyable place to be long after these investments come to fruition. The reality is the costs of ‘cleaning up’ litter and fly-tipping means less money for vital services.

“This campaign is like setting the reset button on our town and we are delighted to have the support of behaviour change experts, Keep Britain Tidy, who have some brilliant tried and tested ideas that our community can embrace. Being able to address the issue of litter without putting any additional strain on services is truly welcomed and we are excited to see what we can achieve in partnership with the community of Heckmondwike”.

Local residents can sign up as:

A business or community group to receive resources to help you engage your customers and community in our litter initiatives
A school or nursery to help use the student voice to shape the project
An individual to join community events and help spread the word!

Love Where You Live Heckmondwike is part of the Litter Pact project by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, with support from Kirklees Council, and leading food and drinks brands Coca-Cola, KFC, Mars Wrigley, McDonald’s and Nestlé with the aim of investing in research and programmes to reduce litter. The campaign is being closely watched as a test model for broader adoption across the UK.

Live music, vintage games and 100 free luxury hampers available

The 80^th anniversary of VE Day will be marked with a vibrant street party hosted at Leadenhall Market on 8 May. Taking place from 3 to 6pm, this free event invites Londoners to enjoy a festive afternoon featuring complimentary afternoon tea hampers, live musical performances, vintage games and a nostalgic street party atmosphere in the heart of the City.

On 8 May, the nation will celebrate 80 years since World War II ended in Europe. In 1945 the people of Britain came together in joyous street parties to celebrate peace. Eastern City Business Improvement District will be recapturing this community spirit by bringing long communal tables, Union Jacks and classic street decorations to Leadenhall Market’s cobbled streets, protected from the elements by the beautiful glass roofed Victorian structure.

Visitors to the VE Day Street Party will experience the spirit of the 1940s with a specially curated programme of entertainment. The Swingettes, a dazzling vocal trio, will bring the era’s most iconic tunes to life in three sets throughout afternoon. While classic wartime music from Vera Lynn and other greats will set the mood. Guests can also try their hand at traditional board games from the period, including Snakes and Ladders, Backgammon, and Cluedo.

As part of the celebration, 100 luxurious afternoon tea hampers will be given away. Each carefully curated hamper will feature traditional delights such as delectable cakes and fresh, locally sourced strawberries. The hampers will showcase treats from Leadenhall Market’s renowned traders, including floral arrangements by Windsor Flowers and exquisite pastries from the Market’s patisserie, Aux Merveilleux de Fred.

To secure a luxury hamper ahead of time guests should follow @easterncityldn on Instagram, reshare the VE Day Street Party post, and submit their details via email as instructed. Those who successfully secure their hamper will be notified in advance and can collect their hampers on the day by showing their confirmation email. Another 50 hampers will be available to pick up on the day on a first-come-first-served basis.

As well as soaking up the vintage vibes at the VE Day Street Party, visitors can explore the incredible mix of independent shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs at Leadenhall Market, stopping for an excellent glass of wine from Bedales or Cheese, or a pint from Golden Goose or The Lamb Tavern.

Ollie Goode, Asset Manager at Leadenhall Market said: “As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, this event offers Londoners a chance to come together in a truly historic setting to honour an important moment in our nation’s past. Leadenhall Market is proud to host this celebration of resilience and community. The independent businesses that make Leadenhall so special are looking forward to welcoming guests for a day of music, fun and great food in the heart of the City.”

For more information and for information on both events, visit https://leadenhallmarket.co.uk/ve-day-street-party/

Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation. 

The brief

Litter is more than just an eyesore – it damages ecosystems, affects public health and disproportionately impacts deprived communities.

Keep Britain Tidy tasked Barley with amplifying its landmark report ‘A Rubbish Reality’, which highlighted the worsening litter crisis in England. The report aimed to raise awareness of the scale of the litter problem – and call on government, industry and individuals to take action. Barley’s brief was to craft a compelling narrative – shaping the story to drive national media interest – and position Keep Britain Tidy as a leading voice on environmental policy and behaviour change campaigning.

Insights and approach

To maximise impact, we advised on and identified the strongest, most newsworthy findings from the report, in addition to refining the consumer polling angles and developing key messaging to ensure clear, compelling headlines and talking points.

We developed a robust media strategy, built around three core themes:
Scale of the crisis – 90% of surveyed areas in England were found to be littered over the past decade
Social inequality – the prevalence of litter was nearly three times higher in deprived communities than affluent areas
Policy solutions – urging action on preventative measures like the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

A highly targeted media sell-in ensured widespread coverage. We crafted a compelling press release, developed detailed media Q&As and offered one-to-one interviews with our key spokesperson to discuss the report in more detail, ensuring depth of messaging in resulting articles and features.

Through tailored engagement with top tier social affairs and environmental correspondents, we positioned Keep Britain Tidy as the go-to voice on Britain’s litter problem and a driving force in environmental policy and behaviour change campaigns.

Results

The campaign exceeded all expectations, achieving hundreds of pieces of media coverage across national and regional broadcast, print and online titles which led to increased awareness of Keep Britain Tidy’s role as a thought leader and environmental campaigner as well as driving discussion and debate about tackling England’s litter crisis.

Over 350 pieces of media coverage were achieved, including pieces in The Guardian, Daily Mail, Good Morning Britain, The Independent, and a 15-minute feature on BBC Radio 4 You and Yours.

The campaign achieved a total reach of over 390 million opportunities to see and hear and resulted in engagement and commentary from key stakeholders.

The brief

The National Preparedness Commission (NPC) asked Barley to launch its landmark report on the UK’s food resilience, authored by Professor Tim Lang. Just in Case: 7 steps to narrow the UK civil food resilience gap examines public readiness, vulnerabilities in the food system and how crises could limit access to food. The report issued a stark warning: the UK’s food security is fragile, and current government, industry and civil-society planning is insufficient. NPC Chair Lord Toby Harris tasked Barley with developing a targeted media strategy, drafting a hard-hitting release and securing coverage to influence policymakers and food-sector leaders.

Insights and approach

Barley worked closely with the NPC and the report’s authors to distil clear, compelling messages that would attract media interest while avoiding alarmist or sensational framing. Our focus was to communicate the seriousness of the UK’s food-security challenge in a credible, policy-relevant way.

Given the report’s call for stronger food policy and improved government planning, we targeted a mix of food, science and farming trade titles, alongside national social-affairs, policy and environment correspondents to reach policymakers and industry leaders.

To maximise impact, we set an embargo for the morning of publication and began outreach to priority journalists and broadcasters well ahead of launch. This enabled us to secure pre-recorded interviews for release on launch day, including Farming Today, as well as longer-lead programmes such as The Food Programme. We also anchored our pitch to current debates on proposed US trade tariffs, ensuring timely relevance and strengthening the news hook.

As a result, we secured high-quality interviews for Professor Tim Lang with leading journalists, including the Guardian’s Environment correspondent, Financial Times’ Public Policy Correspondent and The Grocer’s International Trade Editor, positioning the report at the centre of national and sector-specific conversations on food resilience.

Results

The report generated strong national and sector media impact. Its findings were covered by The Guardian and highlighted in Politico’s London Playbook. It led BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today, which ran an in-depth interview with Professor Tim Lang. Barley also secured an interview with Lord Ed Davey on Times Radio and a full BBC Radio 4 Food Programme dedicated to food preparedness, featuring both Sir Toby Harris and Tim—directly reaching core policymaker audiences.

Extensive trade coverage across food, retail, supply chain, farming and agriculture titles ensured the report reached senior industry figures. Advance briefings with the National Farmers’ Union generated additional attention, supported by comments from the NFU President.

The report also gained significant traction on X (Twitter), including engagement from influential farmer and commentator James Rebanks. Monthly title BBC Science Focus further amplified the findings in a wider feature on national preparedness.

We marked International Women’s Day by celebrating the incredible women who help make Borough Market the vibrant and dynamic place it is. Securing this national feature in The Independent highlights the passion, skill, and dedication of the women behind the stalls, from producers and traders to chefs and artisans. Their stories reflect not only their hard work but also the rich diversity and community spirit that define Borough Market. Take a look at the full piece and join us in celebrating these inspiring women.

Teams to compete for Leadenhall Market’s coveted golden frying pan

Leadenhall Market’s 18^th century pub – The Lamb Tavern – has announced its 16^th annual pancake race, celebrating Shrove Tuesday in the City of London.

The legendary event will take place on Tuesday 4 March at 12.30pm. The annual tradition sees teams of four don bowler hats and take on a 20m relay of the Victorian cobbled alleyways of Leadenhall Market, to compete for the ultimate prize of the Golden frying pan.

Not only do the winners have their name inscribed on the fabled trophy, they also get treated to a Lamb Tavern Hamper, while those in second place receive a £50 bar tab and third prize picks up a bottle of prosecco. The losing team will be awarded the consolation prize of one of The Lamb Tavern’s scotch eggs, to split between the four of them. And if that’s not enough, all competitors will get a free pancake to fuel their energy.

Spectators can expect to be entertained by market personality Charlie from London City Shoeshine, the event’s resident commentator. And there will be countless pancakes available to enjoy, cooked by The Lamb Tavern’s head chef.

Free to enter, teams of four people can take part and must register beforehand at www.lambtavernleadenhall.com/#book, or by emailing lambtavern@youngs.co.uk.

Leadenhall Market’s boutique retailers, bars, restaurants and cafés will also be open for the event, welcoming participants and spectators alike.

Situated in the centre of the City of London’s financial district, the current Grade II listed Market building, designed by Sir Horace Jones, dates back to 1881. Its wrought iron and glass structure replaced the stone market previously created by Lord Mayor of London, Dick Whittington in the 15th Century. Now, the market is home to 24 restaurants, cafes and bars, which sit alongside 14 retail outlets, creating a hub for shopping and dining in the City.

Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation. For more information, visit: leadenhallmarket.co.uk

The National Preparedness Commission (NPC) today issued a critical warning about the precarious state of the United Kingdom’s food security. In a new report published this morning, the Commission is urging immediate action to safeguard the nation’s food supply against mounting global pressures, including climate change, geopolitical instability, extreme weather events, fragile supply chains and the ongoing repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NPC’s groundbreaking report concludes that considerable change is needed to bring UK food policy into a fit state of preparedness. It provides a critical framework to ensure that the UK’s food systems are resilient, sustainable and able to feed the nation in both ordinary and extraordinary times. Authored by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Emeritus of Food Policy at City St George’s, University of London, Just in Case: 7 steps to narrow the UK civil food resilience gap (linked here), calls for a decisive shift from reactive food policies to proactive, community-centred resilience planning – examining in detail for the first time how the British public can be better prepared.

Serving as a rallying cry for policymakers, the report draws on lessons from ten countries to stress the urgency of embedding food resilience into national policy, proposing a strategic reset from “just-in-time” to “just-in-case” logistics. Highlighting a convergence of threats, the Just in Case framework offers a blueprint for stability and preparedness: recommending a coordinated approach from government, industry and crucially, civil society.

Among 15 key recommendations, the report calls for new legislation to formalise the state’s obligation to feed the public in a time of crisis. A new legally defined UK food policy, including increased domestic production, is also recommended. Elsewhere, the report urges changes to food distribution systems, the introduction of town-to-town food resilience learning exchanges and research into current thinking around stockpiling and rationing, all to better prepare Britain for food shocks.

Over 70 people from organisations as diverse as the food industry, government, academia, and community groups were interviewed by the authors. In one-to-one interviews, they were asked to judge risks, fragilities, options and recommendations for how to improve food system resilience, and particularly to advise on how to accelerate what the report calls ‘civil food resilience’. These extensive interviews are cited throughout the report, all anonymised to encourage frankness. Case studies from Birmingham, Bristol and international cities underscore the potential of grassroots initiatives, which often outpace government in innovation and community engagement. The report measures ‘civil food resilience’ by considering the public’s awareness of risks, ability to reduce unnecessary risks and preparedness to act inclusively with others to ensure all society is well fed during crises.

The detailed research is presented in a 370-page main report, with a standalone Executive Summary. It highlights that enhancing resilience is not a “bolt-on” solution but an integrated effort requiring coordination and collaboration across different levels of society and between different sectors – government, industry, commerce, science, education and civil society.

Professor Tim Lang said: “The UK’s post-War food system, while revolutionary in its time, is no longer fit for purpose. To safeguard our future, we must prioritise resilience at every level – from local communities to national frameworks. There is a gap between the official risk and resilience framework which presents a picture that all is OK, and the realities that people in senior and frontline roles read differently. There is too much complacency about UK food security and civil food resilience barely features at all in forward planning. Food resilience is not just about surviving a crisis but thriving despite it. This report stands apart from current frameworks by taking into account the public’s current attitudes and understanding of food risks, and asking how civil society can be better engaged to ultimately become more resilient.”

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the National Preparedness Commission said: “Food security is a cornerstone of national resilience. This report highlights the urgent need for a coordinated, whole-society approach to ensure that no one in the UK is left vulnerable in the face of future crises. The risks to our food systems are more pronounced than ever before. From floods in key farming regions to disruptions in global trade, we are facing a confluence of threats that could undermine our ability to feed ourselves. The recommendations provide a clear path forward, and it is vital that these are considered urgently.”

The NPC’s new report outlines several key areas of concern and presents actionable recommendations to protect the UK’s civil food security.

The report proposes seven steps to civil food resilience:

1.. Learn from others

The UK should emulate steps taken by other counties, including improving coordination across government levels, ensuring public advice is accessible and the introduction of community guidelines around stockpiling.

2. Assess the public’s mood, perceptions and engagement

Develop a comprehensive food resilience tracker, increase public awareness of food risks, and promote clear, accessible guidance to enhance trust and preparedness.

3. Map the community’s food assets

Shift from individual stockpiling to collective approaches, enabling shared food skills, resources, and multi-level coordination for equitable crisis preparedness.

4. Local authorities are key to building civil food resilience

Cities and regions play a vital role: fostering local frameworks, partnerships, and integrated policies to enhance sustainability and readiness.

5. Create local Food Resilience Committees to co-ordinate resilience preparation

Use local Food Resilience Committees to map supply chains, build networks, assess risks, and coordinate tailored, community-based food preparedness.

6. The UK central state must create and maintain a coherent food policy

A clear national food policy is urgently needed to set goals, improve coordination, and ensure resilience through proactive legislation and strategy.

7. Re-set the Government Resilience Framework for food

A National Food Resilience and Security Council should integrate food resilience into policy, ensuring preparedness, sustainability, and public trust through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Key recommendations in the report include:

Legislate for a comprehensive UK food policy: Introduce a Food Security and Resilience Act to ensure a sustainable and resilient food system.
Pass law that obligates the government to feed the public in crises: Formalise government responsibility for crisis food provision, drawing on Sweden’s model.
Shift to a just-in-case food system: Reform logistics to prepare for supply chain shocks, replacing the Just-in-Time approach.
Reassess food as critical national infrastructure: Require Defra to treat food security as a core component of national infrastructure planning.
Create a national council for food security: Establish an advisory body to provide evidence-based, consistent advice on food resilience.
Integrate food into National and Community Risk Registers: Risk assessments should include food-related risks, considering local conditions and community responses.

Include food in the National Infrastructure Commission’s workplans:
The National Infrastructure Commission should incorporate food security into its workplans and advice.
Update crisis communication: Revise public messaging and integrate food issues into messaging planning.
Research stockpiling and rationing: Investigate stockpiling, rationing, and integrating local food providers into emergency food systems.
Engage civil society: Engage civil society organisations to improve emergency food advice, replacing the ‘Prepare’ programme with trusted systems.
Form local Food Resilience Committees: Create committees at the local level, building on existing food policy networks and chaired by trusted local experts.
Prioritise urban and decentralised food production in planning: Amend land-use policies to support regional and urban food production while addressing climate and social equity goals.
Promote regional food strategies: Encourage collaboration among metro mayors and devolved governments to develop regional food policies.
Foster food resilience learning exchanges: Establish town, city, village and institution exchanges for knowledge-sharing on sustainable food systems.
Invest in research: Fund studies into food vulnerabilities, crisis impacts, and demographic-specific resilience measures.

These steps aim to fortify the nation’s food systems, ensuring they remain robust in the face of growing global uncertainties.

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The brief

Insights and approach

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