Including food security, food system resilience, supply chain disruption, geopolitical risk, energy markets, cyber security, work experience, UK economic growth, inflation, shopper confidence, public debt, and Good Food Neighbourhoods.
Global risks put food supply chains on alert
Food businesses are facing a fast-moving risk environment as several global events show how quickly disruption can spread across energy, trade, and technology.
A potential US-Russia diesel deal has added uncertainty to global energy markets, with questions over whether supplies can be delivered and what it means for the war in Ukraine
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and activity around the Bab-el-Mandab Strait have renewed concerns over oil markets and key shipping routes
Reported cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems in France show how digital risks can quickly become physical operational risks
For food leaders, the priority is to understand how these risks can combine and spread through supply chains.
Read our latest article on The global risks reshaping food.
Food resilience moves from risk assessment to action
Food security is moving up the national resilience agenda, with growing scrutiny of how prepared the UK is for serious disruption.
For food businesses, this is no longer just an operational risk issue. Resilience is becoming a board-level priority, shaping investment, competitiveness, and long-term growth.
Our latest article explores why the debate is shifting from identifying risks to defining practical action — and what this means for government, industry, and communities.
Read the article, Food security is becoming a national resilience priority.
Resilience Capability Tool
Turn resilience insight into action. Use IGD's free Resilience Capability Tool to assess your organisation's resilience capability and identify priorities for improvement.
Resilience Capability Tool
Assess your exposure and preparedness, identify your priorities, and take practical action to strengthen the resilience of your business.
Hospitality pledges 100,000 jobs for young people
Major hospitality employers have partnered with government and UK Hospitality to provide 100,000 paid jobs over three years for 18 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training. Participating businesses will also offer work experience and training, helping young people build skills and take their first step into employment.
IGD opinion
This demonstrates how coordinated industry action can create routes into work while building future talent. Through Feeding Britain’s Future, food businesses can help young people discover the breadth of careers across the food system. Be part of the movement and sign-up to commit your support for Feeding Britain’s Future.
IMF: resilience is holding, but under strain
The new IMF World Economic Outlook describes a global economy that has weathered conflict and high energy prices better than expected but warns that resilience is under growing strain.
For the UK, this matters because energy importers outside the technology value chain are seen as especially exposed. The IMF expects UK GDP growth of 1.3% in 2026 and 1.2% in 2027, with inflation at 3.3% and 2.8%, respectively.
Its message is clear: governments need to manage finances carefully and build reserves before the next shock.
IGD opinion
The IMF’s warning matters for the UK because countries that import energy and sit outside the technology value chain are seen as especially vulnerable, a description that could arguably include the UK. For food and grocery, this points to continued exposure to energy costs, global disruption, and weaker economic confidence.
The IMF states that global risks are mostly on the downside, meaning conditions are more likely to deteriorate than improve. Key risks include spreading conflict, overvaluation of AI, trade tensions, and government debt.
The IMF urges governments to manage finances carefully and build reserves as a safeguard against future crises. Any interventions to support shoppers should therefore be carefully targeted.
UK economy grew in August, but momentum slowed
Monthly GDP data from ONS shows that the UK economy grew by 0.1% year-on-year in August 2026, with inflation accounted for. Growth remained positive, but this was a sharp slowdown compared with the more vigorous performance seen in June and July.
The main reason for the change was that services, which make up the largest part of the UK economy, registered no growth in the month.
This suggests the UK economy is still expanding, but with less momentum as businesses and households continue to face pressure.
IGD opinion
The IMF has said that the UK economy is proving surprisingly resilient in the face of strategic pressure. The latest GDP data supports that view. Despite high energy prices, geopolitical tensions and pressure on household incomes, the UK economy has continued to grow, albeit modestly. The latest data also reinforces a broader theme emerging across recent forecasts: the UK economy continues to grow, but at a pace that leaves little room for further shocks.
The latest OBR forecast, issued in March, suggested that the UK economy will grow by 1.1% in 2026. This is a fairly sedate pace by historical standards, and this forecast may not have accounted in full for extended conflict in the Middle East and very high energy prices.
Still, with eight months of GDP data now in the bag, there is a good chance that this will be met, assuming no major disruption in Q4. The IMF currently suggests growth of 1.3%.
Closing the deprivation gap through Defra’s Good Food Neighbourhoods
On 30 September 2026, the government announced almost £10m for Good Food Neighbourhoods (GFN). These areas were identified as having the highest levels of deprivation and childhood obesity. The funding gives 45 local authorities £222,000 each to develop solutions that meet local needs.
Read IGD’s view on how industry, charities and communities can help scale what works.