‘Tinderbox’ UK may be one shock away from food riots, experts say

The climate crisis, low incomes, poor farming policy and fragile just-in-time supply chains are making access to food vulnerable in the UK. Photograph: Hesther Ng/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock

One shock could spark social unrest and even food riots in the UK, according to dozens of the country’s top food experts, because chronic issues have left the food system a “tinderbox”.

The group first identified a series of issues that are making access to food vulnerable in the UK, including the climate crisis, low incomes, poor farming policy and fragile just-in-time supply chains. These have left the UK dangerously exposed, the researchers said.