Bulletin: spending support and Budget deadline
05 September 2024Featuring cost of living spending support, 'Mmmake Your Mark' industry campaign, the Budget, egg labelling and Bovine Tuberculosis (TB).
Spending support
The government has announced an extension to the Household Support Fund of £421m up until April 2025. This fund is for local authorities in England to help people most in need with the cost of energy, food and water. £79m will also be given to devolved administrations.
IGD opinion
The UK economy is currently performing quite well, compared with other developed economies. However, it is clear that many households are at risk of being left behind in the recovery – even those currently in work.
In fact, around 10% of households in work are currently considered to be in low income by the Department for Work and Pension (DWP). The Resolution Foundation has forecast that an extra 300,000 people are projected to fall into absolute poverty in 2024.
A key question then is how to ensure that work pays and delivers a reliable way to exit poverty and develop social mobility.
As major employers, the UK food system needs to be part of this and needs to offer solutions, via training and career development. Read on to learn more about the work IGD is doing to support this, including the new Mmmake Your Mark campaign.
Time to celebrate
Over 50 organisations across businesses, trade bodies and government, are already taking part in the Mmmake Your Mark campaign.
This unites the UK’s food and drink industry to celebrate the diverse and exciting roles our sector has to offer. Here, you can find your purpose, explore new possibilities, and progress in your career.
Get involved by following the campaign on LinkedIn and share your story to be part of the conversation!
Autumn Budget deadline
Businesses have until 10 September to submit a representation to the Autumn Budget. This is a written submission commenting on government policy and suggesting new policy areas. It should contain evidence-based suggestions with rationale, costs, benefits and deliverability, as well as highlighting how it contributes to the aims of the Budget.
Egg labelling
Producers and packers will no longer have to change how eggs are labelled during mandatory bird flu measures. This will mean that free-range eggs can continue to be labelled as such throughout mandatory housing measures.
TB strategy
The government has launched a Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) eradication strategy to end the badger cull. This will include a badger population survey, a new national wildlife surveillance programme, a new Badger Vaccinator Field Force and a badger vaccination study.
Work will also be advanced on the development of a cattle vaccine.