What does the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget mean for food and health? Ali Morpeth, our Policy Champion on Food Systems, Health & Nutrition, gives her analysis. 

The Budget takes some steps to protect public health by adjusting the Soft Drinks Industry Levy in line with inflation and tripling funding for breakfast clubs.  

However, significant gaps remain. The funding of breakfast clubs represents less than 10% of the estimate given in Labour’s pre-election manifesto. 

Also, despite obesity costing the UK £98 billion annually, the Budget does not expand levies to other high-sugar and salt foods (a key recommendation of last week’s House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee consultation). 

Nor does it extend free school meals to all children in families on Universal Credit, or increase funding per meal for school lunches in line with inflation. 

Without wider funding and stronger support for public health measures, Labour will not be able to deliver on its prevention agenda, or commitment to raise the healthiest generation of children ever.

You can also read our overall Budget analysis, and analysis on what the Budget means for farming. 

We also have quick-fire summaries of key Budget decisions for farming and the countryside, and for food and health.