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<p>HM Government is investing £2.6 million this year to combat food waste. That includes
funding the Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP) and through them we work to address
food waste in households and supply chains.</p><p>We support the Courtauld 2030 Commitment,
a voluntary agreement with industry to tackle food waste, which includes a target
of a 50% per capita reduction in food waste by 2030 against a 2007 baseline. Action
through Courtauld includes working with businesses to measure and reduce food waste
through the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap and the key tool to Target Measure and Act
on waste. We recently consulted on options to improve reporting of food waste volumes
by large food businesses in England. By increasing the number of businesses measuring
and publicly reporting their food waste, we expect to drive action to reduce it.</p><p><a
href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fconsultations%2Fimproved-food-waste-reporting-by-large-food-businesses-in-england&data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C732e4e4d2f7a4b83f77208dab05ad7e1%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638016201451319175%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nDqVpgJO%2B0zlQAg68wVMNqf3RaGZCaB1R%2BYLwPjdrKs%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">Improved food waste reporting by large food businesses in England
- GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p><p>Courtauld signatories also play a key role in providing
consumers with support in reducing food waste at home for instance through offering
storage advice and appropriate labelling.</p><p><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwrap.org.uk%2Ftaking-action%2Ffood-drink%2Finitiatives%2Fcourtauld-commitment&data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C732e4e4d2f7a4b83f77208dab05ad7e1%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638016201451319175%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=AhrUaBCYp0Ic5jGzP1o1HE6jiH8lF%2Bk5e3nRRnS2Whs%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">https://wrap.org.uk/taking-action/food-drink/initiatives/courtauld-commitment</a></p><p>HM
Government also funds WRAP's citizen campaigns such as Food Waste Action Week and
Love Food Hate Waste, which aim to raise public awareness of food waste and the ways
in which citizens can reduce it. This includes advice on how to shop for, store and
cook foods in ways that minimise waste.</p><p><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovefoodhatewaste.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C732e4e4d2f7a4b83f77208dab05ad7e1%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638016201451319175%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=w8rAYyd6v9q9XXNSQXWdwCcaf7fa1ImsAqcAELjsYwM%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/</a></p><p>Since 2018, around £13
million has been awarded to over 250 redistribution organisations across the country
to bolster the capability and capacity of the redistribution sector. This funding
has provided important infrastructure such as additional warehousing, vehicles, fridges
and freezers to help the sector get more discounted food to charities and food banks.</p><p>Defra
officials continue to work with other relevant Departments on food policy and food
insecurity, including on school meals (DfE) and the welfare system (DWP).</p><p>We
recognise that people are facing pressures with the increasing cost of living and
that some people continue to require extra support.</p><p>HM Government is committed
to a sustainable, long-term approach to tackling poverty and supporting people on
lower incomes. In addition to the Energy support announced by HM Government on 8 September,
we have committed £37 billion to tackle the increased cost of living this year. This
includes an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials,
including food, bringing total funding for this support to £1.5 billion. In England
this will take the form of an extension to the Household Support Fund backed by £421
million, running from 1 <sup>st</sup> October 2022 to 31 <sup>st</sup> March 2023.
Devolved administrations will receive £79 million through the Barnett formula.</p><p>My
Department is taking action to maintain an efficient food supply chain by mitigating
against any potential burdens or friction which could otherwise drive-up consumer
food prices. In addition, we continue to use regular engagement to work with retailers
and producers to explore the range of measures they can take to ensure the availability
of affordable food.</p>
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