British governmental institutions, including hospitals, schools, and prisons, are set to increase their procurement of British food products. This move is a response to a growing divide with the farming community, primarily due to changes in inheritance tax policies. The initiative is aimed at increasing the use of produce from farms that adhere to the highest welfare standards, offering support to local growers and producers. Public sector catering contracts amount to £5bn annually, and proposed alterations to procurement policies would prioritize domestic produce over cheaper imports. This aligns with Labour’s manifesto commitment to source at least half of public sector food from local or environmentally certified producers. These changes are part of a broader effort to mend relationships between the government and food producers, strained by the October budget’s inheritance tax changes on agricultural properties, which sparked significant protests. A representative of the National Farmers’ Union welcomed this commitment, citing the support it provides during a challenging period for UK farming.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/23/labour-hopes-to-heal-rift-with-farmers-with-public-sector-food-targets