Karen Betts news, analysis and comment
Karen Betts is CEO of Food & Drink Federation and the former Scotch Whisky Association chief.
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NewsFood inflation hits highest levels since January 2024
It is the fifth month in a row that food prices have climbed, with increases for vegetables, cheese and fish, the Office for National Statistics reported
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NewsFood inflation to hit 5.7% by Christmas, warns FDF
The FDF claims inflation will now reach 5.7% by December, an increase from its forecast of 4.8% made in June
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NewsConfidence flatlines for food companies as fears grow over Reeves’ budget
A new FDF survey of its members found confidence levels in the second quarter of the year were still at ‘-40%’
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NewsFood inflation will hit 5.5% in 2025, Bank of England warns
Food price increases have been driven by rising key food commodities, higher employment costs and extended producer responsibility levies on packaging
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NewsGrocery and food to play major role in NHS 10 Year Health Plan
Announced this morning, the plan includes a radical overhaul of the NHS, with a focus on food and drink forming a key part of its ‘prevention rather than cure’ approach
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NewsSainsbury’s welcomes NHS obesity plan as ‘opportunity’ for supermarkets to ‘raise the bar’
Simon Roberts said it was vital the proposals applied to all ‘large food companies’, including aggregator apps, takeaway chains and fast food restaurants
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Comment & OpinionCan the UK food industry really reverse the obesity crisis?
If the government can tap into the need for a new joined-up approach, its new Food Strategy might stand half a chance
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Comment & OpinionA united approach to healthy food needs ‘bold, co-ordinated action’
With Tesco CEO Ken Murphy calling for mandatory reporting on the healthiness of food and drink sales, the call for industry to lead on tackling obesity is growing louder – and rightly so, says Karen Betts, chief executive at the Food & Drink Federation
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NewsFDF swings behind mandatory health reporting in call for ‘bold’ action on obesity
Calls for the government to bring in mandatory reporting on health in its new Food Strategy have received a major breakthrough, with the FDF today backing the proposals
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Comment & OpinionNFU will have tough job filling Terry Jones’ muddy boots
Few industry leaders have such reserves of common sense or a common touch – fewer still are so thoroughly decent or such fun, says Ian Wright, partner at Acuti Associates
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Analysis & FeaturesFood and drink reacts as border checks on EU exports scrapped
The government has reached a 12-year deal that will grant fishing access for EU boats into British waters, with ministers also having nailed down a reduction in checks on food exports to the bloc in return
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Comment & OpinionBig week for international trade deals – but is any win really a win?
Keir Starmer celebrates slam dunks in trade relations –- but here’s what the India and US trade deals mean for the British economy
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NewsUK-India trade deal: food and drink businesses to benefit from ‘historic’ agreement
British food and drink makers are set to benefit significantly from lower trade tariffs with India
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Comment & OpinionDefra’s Food Strategy will fail if it doesn’t support growth
Addressing obesity, sustainability and food security all crucial in food strategy but so is growth
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NewsFood business confidence crashes amid fears over taxation and EPR costs
A bombardment of taxation and regulation has led to a drastic fall in food industry business confidence, according to a damning report released by the FDF
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NewsJunk food ad ban facing ‘multiple’ legal challenges as ministers refuse law rewrite
Karen Betts told The Grocer this week that the industry was still in the dark about key details of what ads faced being outlawed
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Comment & OpinionWill the National Food Strategy’s ‘experts’ succeed in creating economic growth?
Within the next two years, the government expects this group to tackle issues such as the obesity crisis, the race to net zero, food security and turbocharging growth in the food sector
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NewsNational Food Strategy recruiting ‘industry experts’ as sector council faces axe
It is understood the birth of the new expert panel could also spell the end for the Food & Drink Sector Council
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Comment & OpinionFDF: two key priorities for National Food Strategy
We want the UK to have the most competitive, innovative and productive food and drink manufacturing sector in Europe, says Karen Betts, CEO of the FDF
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NewsLabour’s new National Food Strategy delayed amid farmer protests
The government was forced to shelve the intended launch of a new National Food Strategy amid outrage over the budget which saw thousands of farmers protest in Westminster