Therese Coffey

The Environment Secretary has been accused of having 'shifted blame for food poverty on to people because they are on low wages and are poor'.

“But we talk about aspects of food pricing. “But of course we do know that one of the best ways to boost their incomes is not only to get into work if they’re not in work already, but potentially to work some more hours, to get upskilled, to get a higher income. It is an element of what also can be done locally.

Therese Coffey has been criticised for saying people struggling with rising food bills could work longer hours or get "upskilled" for a higher income.

Supermarkets have been very competitive". [invasion of Ukraine](https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-latest-us-deeply-concerned-by-rumours-of-putin-plan-to-take-moldova-12541713) then exacerbated the problem. "It is shocking that the environment secretary shifted blame for food poverty onto people because they are on low wages and are poor, expecting them to work even more hours to put food on the table. Speaking after the exchange in the Commons, she told the PA news agency: "With food prices going up 16.8% over the last year, the secretary of state said that people needed to work more hours to pay for their food. She added: "Of course we do know that one of the best ways to boost their incomes is not only to get into work if they're not in work already, but potentially to work some more hours, to get upskilled, to get a higher income." Asked how the government is ensuring food security after food banks in York began running out, Therese Coffey said people could increase their income by getting into work, "potentially" working more hours, or getting "upskilled".

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has told Brits to 'eat turnips' as the vegetable shortage in the UK rages on. Coffey has served as Secretary of State ...

At the same time they’ve cut off our trade with Europe, less is coming in and less is going out, and then we’re relying on people outside of Europe, which are a long way away from us to feed us.” [LBC](https://amp.lbc.co.uk/news/supermarket-kherson-ukraine-bursting-with-fresh-produce-british-shortages/), Liz Webster, from Save British Food said “I’ve been trying to tell people this is on the way for some time. They are getting rid of our food security in Britain to rely on the world supposedly to feed us.

Environment secretary accused of 'appalling' comments – as she also suggests turnips were good seasonal replacement during fruit and veg shortage.

“But I’m conscious that consumers want a year-round choice and that is what our supermarkets, food producers and growers around the world try to satisfy.” She said her department “has already been in discussion with the retailers” to discuss how to source alternative supplies. On Coffey’s remarks at the NFU, he said: “Some describing it as a slow motion tractor crash; ‘Calamity Coffey’. Ministers cannot just sit on their hands while food supply chains across the country grind to a halt.” “The reason that we have food shortages in Britain and that we don’t have food shortages in Spain – or anywhere else in the EU – is because of Brexit, and also because of this disastrous Conservative government that has no interest in food production,” said chair Liz Webster. [Therese Coffey](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/therese-coffey) has suggested people struggling to afford their soaring food bills could consider working more hours.

The gaffe-prone Cabinet minister was branded 'appalling' for her 'shocking' comments by a Labour MP as they clashed in the House of Commons.

In January 2020, Sir Desmond Swayne apologised after he was slammed for saying poor people are the 'fattest' and need to be taught how to shop more healthily. In 2010, the Eton-educated former minister described members of his constituency as 'people holding up their trousers with bits of twine' who lived in 'pretty primitive' areas. 'But we talk about aspects of food pricing. 'That's the approach the Government is taking so households can afford their bills.' 'But of course we do know that one of the best ways to boost their incomes is not only to get into work if they're not in work already but potentially to work some more hours, to get upskilled, to get a higher income. He added it 'shows what a good, compassionate country we are'. Late last year, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan sparked fury when she claimed nurses 'usually' only use food banks in Britain if they have been dumped or their boiler has broken. Inflation is really tough at the moment, there's no doubt about that, and I'm conscious, though, that we still have a situation where generally across Europe we have one of the lowest proportion of our incomes being spent on food. He is now often dubbed '30p Lee'. Mr Anderson, who has since been appointed Tory deputy chairman, subsequently offered 'proof' that meals can be cooked for 30p each. Therese Coffey said 'one of the best ways' for people to boost their pay when struggling with food bills was 'potentially to work some more hours, to get upskilled, to get a higher income' She added that 'one of the best ways' for people to boost their incomes was 'potentially to work some more hours, to get upskilled, to get a higher income'.

The Environment Secretary suggested that people could boost their income by working more hours or getting upskilled. A shopper looks at fruit and vegetables ...

During her time as work and pensions secretary in 2020, She is responsible for our food security and she is overseeing a food shortage, it’s a dereliction of duty.” [shortages of lettuce and tomatoes in supermarkets](https://inews.co.uk/news/food-shortages-aldi-asda-morrisons-rationing-cucumbers-tomatoes-shelves-empty-2165767?ico=in-line_link). [water chief](https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/campaigners-attack-woefully-inadequate-new-efforts-to-tackle-river-sewage-from-therese-coffey-2161217?ico=in-line_link) that is overseeing [sewage being dumped in our rivers](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/tory-mps-condemn-unacceptable-water-companies-sewage-government-game-2163035?ico=in-line_link), she is the food chief that is overseeing a food shortage and she is responsible for our fish and has overseen a mass die-off of sea life in the North East.” [increased cost of food](https://inews.co.uk/news/inflation-falls-to-10-1-per-cent-but-rate-still-close-to-40-year-high-2149539?ico=in-line_link). [afford their grocery bills ](https://inews.co.uk/news/price-shopping-soared-food-inflation-record-2063051?ico=in-line_link)due to record levels of inflation should consider working longer hours, the Environment Secretary, [Thérèse Coffey](https://inews.co.uk/topic/therese-coffey?ico=in-line_link), has said.

Senior Tory minister Therese Coffey has suggested people struggling to afford food to consider working more hours.

That is why the department has already been in discussion with the retailers. ‘Even if we cannot control the weather it is important that we try and make sure the supply continues to not be frustrated in quite the way it has been due to these unusual weather incidents.’ ‘It is why there will be further discussions led by ministers as well, so that we can try and get over this and try and avoid similar situations in the future. ‘It is important that we try and make sure that we get alternative sourcing options. [ have left produce shelves left bare in recent days](https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/21/asda-introduces-limits-on-fruit-and-veg-as-supermarkets-run-low-18322869/). ‘It is shocking that the Environment Secretary shifted blame for food poverty onto people because they are on low wages and are poor, expecting them to work even more hours to put food on the table.

It comes as supermarkets in the UK are limiting sales of certain fruit and vegetables. The shortages started with tomatoes, but has since extended to peppers, ...

Most come from Spain and north Africa. The issue is thought to have been caused by difficult weather conditions in the south of Europe and northern Africa, which have disrupted the harvest for some fruit and vegetables. During the winter, the UK imports approximately 95 per cent of its tomatoes and 90 per cent of its lettuces.

Cabinet minister says consumers should "cherish" home-grown produce as shops limit sales of some items.

[access the £842m Household Support Fund](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/household-support-fund-guidance-for-local-councils), before adding: "We know that one of the best ways for people to boost their income is not only to get into work if they are not in work already, but to work more hours or get upskilled to get a higher income." Ms Coffey replied that inflation was "really tough at the moment" but noted the UK had "one of the lowest proportions of incomes being spent on food" in Europe. But Downing Street insisted Ms Coffey had simply been "setting out the importance of celebrating the produce that we grow here in the UK".

Therese Coffey told MPs the 'temporary' shortages were caused by 'very unusual weather' but were expected to end in another four weeks.

Ms Coffey said: 'It's important to make sure that we cherish the specialisms that we have in this country. The leek has remained a national symbol ever since. Leek Growers Association chairman Tim Casey said yields were down by as much as 30 per cent following the 'most difficult growing season ever'. Budget Creamfields French brie also saw a 96.6 per cent rise at Tesco to £1.57. Conservative former minister Sir Desmond Swayne ridiculed suggestions that Brexit was responsible for the shortages. Ms Coffey agreed with Tory MP Selaine Saxby who suggested eating seasonal vegetables could solve the issue. lettuce and tomatoes and similar, but I'm conscious that consumers want a year-round choice and that is what our supermarkets, food producers and growers around the world are trying to satisfy.' A sign limiting customers to three items each is seen next to empty boxes in the tomato and peppers section of a Tesco British producers of the much-loved seasonal vegetable, as well as onions, cauliflower and broccoli, have had to write off crops due to a lack of rain and deep frosts. 'Even if we cannot control the weather it is important that we try and make sure the supply continues to not be frustrated in quite the way it has been due to these unusual weather incidents.' [Aldi](/news/aldi/index.html) Morrisons, [Asda](/news/asda/index.html) and [Tesco](/news/tesco/index.html) have limited sales of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers to customers as frosty weather in Spain and Morocco has hit imports. While farmers also warned of a shortage of leeks that is likely to hamper St David's Day celebrations in Wales next week.

The Tory MP added the UK should “cherish the specialisms” it has and a “lot of people would be eating turnips right now” under a seasonal food model – rather ...

[rationing fresh produce](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/uk-tomato-shortage-empty-supermarket-shelves_uk_63f3e76fe4b0e2590d3edf58) after bad weather in north Africa and southern Europe has disrupted the UK’s supply chain (some, however, are [insisting Brexit is to blame too](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/mick-hucknall-fruit-and-vegetable_uk_63f6865ae4b0e2590d41335a)). [Therese Coffey](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/Therese-Coffey), the minister in charge of food supplies, insisted that ongoing shortages will be a temporary issue that should be resolved in two to four weeks. [eating turnips](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eat-turnips-amid-tomato-shortage-environment-secretary-therese-coffey-says_uk_63f7609de4b0e2590d41ee69) could help avoid the UK’s fruit and vegetable shortages.

The Environment Secretary spoke after Tesco, Aldi, Asda and Morrisons rationed the sale of 'summer' salad produce.

Ms Coffey spoke after Tesco, Aldi, Asda and Morrisons rationed the sale of “summer” salad produce. The British Tomato Growers Association said: “The British season will soon begin and we expect significant volumes of British tomatoes on shelves by the end of March.” The Environment Secretary spoke after Tesco, Aldi, Asda and Morrisons rationed the sale of 'summer' salad produce.