This month marks one year since the Labour Government took office with a promise to end mass reliance on emergency food parcels, tackle health inequalities and raise the healthiest generation of children. Over the past year, we’ve been encouraged by real progress towards these goals. We remain a committed partner in helping the Government go further, ensuring everyone can access the healthy food they need to thrive.
Early Actions for Fairer Health
We welcomed early moves such as increasing the National Living Wage and raising the tax companies pay through the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. These actions signalled a genuine willingness to tackle inequality and improve public health.
Strengthening Support for Families
The creation of the Crisis and Resilience Fund was another positive step. This multi-year investment aims to support households facing financial hardship. If delivered through a cash-first approach, it could transform how we help people in tough times, putting dignity and choice at the centre.
Prioritising Children’s Nutrition
The 10 Year Health Plan brought a modest but important uplift to the Healthy Start scheme, long overdue and vital for early years nutrition. We also welcomed the expansion of Free School Meals to all children in households receiving Universal Credit, which is an essential measure in tackling child poverty.
A Milestone for Healthy Food Access
For us, the biggest milestone came with the Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods. This £1.5 billion investment in 75 of the most deprived communities now recognises fruit and veg vouchers and healthy food prescriptions as eligible interventions. This change is a breakthrough for addressing food insecurity, reducing health inequalities and strengthening local food systems.
Challenges We Still Face
Despite these advances, fruit and veg consumption is at its lowest level in 50 years, especially among families on the lowest incomes. The Government’s vision of a healthier, fairer food system is the right one, but now is the time to make it real.
Working Together for a Healthier Future
To achieve lasting change, we must embed access to healthy, affordable food into every national strategy, from the upcoming Food Strategy to the Child Poverty Strategy. This means investing in what works: scaling place-based solutions like our Rose Voucher and Fruit & Veg projects. These initiatives improve health, boost local economies, and give people dignity and choice.
At Alexandra Rose Charity, we are ready to work with the Government and local partners to build a food system fit for the 21st century, one that nourishes people, supports communities and helps everyone thrive.