This morning’s headlines are dominated by prime minister Keir Starmer’s ‘plan for change’ – a reset speech he will present today. There will be six “milestones” in the PM’s remarks, according to BBC political editor Chris Mason.
“Expect Sir Keir to argue that border security, national security and economic security are the basic must haves a government must deliver,” Mason writes.
Whether that will extend to more detail on what the government means by its mantra “food security is national security” – past the few policy announcements it has already made – remains to be seen. But as The Grocer reported a fortnight ago, it is understood Labour politicians have been readying a new National Food Strategy, with the potential for measures on ultra-processed foods, to reduce carbon emissions from excess red meat consumption, and to tackle food poverty.
Britain’s biggest retailers are demanding emergency intervention to prevent so-called price-gouging by UK banks and other big card providers. According to the British Retail Consortium, card companies raised their fees again last year “without transparency and justification”, The Times reports. Research by the retail trade body found the total amount paid by retailers to banks and card schemes rose by over 25% last year, at an extra cost of £380 million. These costs are generated by the fees paid by businesses to credit and debit card companies.
Guinness is being rationed in pubs by owner Diageo due to “exceptional consumer demand” over the past three weeks, the BBC reports. It is understood the booze giant is working at 100% production capacity, but has still placed limits on orders in Great Britain. The Irish stout has been rising in popularity with women and young people, and recent rugby internationals have put a strain on supplies. Guinness sales have recently been bucking market trends, according to data from food and drinks industry research firm CGA. While overall beer drinking was slightly down between July and October, the volume of Guinness consumed from kegs was up more than fifth.
The BRC found that cash use in shops rose for a second year in a row, after a decade of falls. Shoppers found cash helped them to budget better, the BBC reports.
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey thinks the UK could escape the worst impact of Donald Trump’s threatened trade tariffs due to the dominance of its trade in services rather than goods exports. Bailey expects four interest rate cuts next year if the BoE’s outlook for the UK economy bears out (Financial Times)
The FT reports on a new scientific study that people whose diets are heavy in highly processed foods increased thigh muscle fattiness even if they did not eat excessive calories, in another sign the products’ health risks could stretch beyond overconsumption.
The row over Arla’s use of methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer continues to rumble on. The Telegraph quotes dairy farmer Patrick Holden – also one of the King’s advisers on farming – who accuses the dairy co-op of “re-engineering the cow”.
A Times report reveals Britain’s big five business lobby groups have been accused of being “far too cosy” with the government and of “failing to deliver” after the increase in companies’ national insurance contributions in the budget.
The BBC reports that the Lib Dems have called on the government to exempt “working farms” from the controversial inheritance tax plans that prompted protests last month. During a debate in the House of Commons, Lib Dem rural affairs spokesman Tim Farron said a “working farm qualification exemption” would target the policy directly at tax-avoiders.
Finally, The Mail follows The Grocer’s coverage earlier this week on the Court of Appeal ruling that found Oatly cannot use the term ‘milk’ in any marketing. The Swedish vegan food giant has been in a long running with Dairy UK about its use of the term in marketing and had previously won a dispute relating to the trademark of the phrase ‘Post Milk Generation.’
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