Food insecurity – what can local government do?

Everyone should be able to access and afford enough good food to live a healthy life. But this is not currently the case in the UK, where levels of food insecurity have risen in recent years. More than 1 in 6 UK households reported experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity in January 2023, meaning they had eaten less or skipped meals because they could not afford or access food. 

Food insecurity is a complex problem and poverty is a key driver. There are, however, actions that local government can take, both through taking steps to prevent people at risk from experiencing food insecurity, and through targeted support for those who need it. This briefing looks at evidence-based actions local government can take to increase household food security among local populations.

Addressing poverty must be central to preventing food insecurity, and there are limits to the steps that local government can take without national government action. We therefore make recommendations for local government, national government and explain the role research funders and academics can have in building the evidence base.