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<p>The Government has well-established ways of working with the food industry during
disruption to supply situations. Our retailers already have highly resilient supply
chains and they are working around the clock to ensure people have the food and products
they need. Industry is adapting quickly to any changes in demands, and food supply
into and across the UK is resilient.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State is in regular
dialogue with industry, including the British Retail Consortium and supermarket chief
executives to discuss any additional support the Government can provide. To help supermarkets
respond to this unprecedented demand we have already introduced new measures to keep
food supply flowing. We have issued guidance to local authorities to allow extended
delivery hours to supermarkets so that shelves can be filled up quicker, and we have
implemented extensions to drivers’ hours.</p><p> </p><p>We fully recognise the additional
pressures on our food supply chain as a result of recent events. The UK’s major supermarkets
have last weekend issued a statement to encourage everyone to shop as they normally
would and pull together to support those staying at home.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue
to work closely with the industry over the coming days and months.</p>
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