EDM 1582: Tackling food waste

That this House notes with concern that the UK wastes around 9.52 million tonnes of food each year, including 6.4 million tonnes of edible surplus which is enough to feed nearly 14 million people annually; expresses concern that only 30% of large food and drink businesses are measuring and reporting their food waste, and only 25% have set reduction targets, falling far short of national and international commitments; further notes that households are responsible for around 70% of this waste, equivalent to over four meals per person per week; recognises the critical role of charities like UKHarvest in addressing both food waste and food poverty; applauds UKHarvest for rescuing 641 tonnes of surplus food and redistributing 1.52 million meals across the south of England in 2024/25; commends their Community Food Hubs and Grub Clubs, which together supported over 79,000 people with free surplus food; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to reduce food waste, increase redistribution, and support organisations working to ensure good food is not needlessly thrown away.