UK food security threatened by record heat and drought

The United Kingdom is facing significant food system vulnerabilities following the hottest summer on record. According to the Met Office, summer 2026 saw temperatures reaching 38°C, with widespread drought affecting much of England and Wales. This extreme weather has led to cereal yields expected to be at their lowest in 40 years and has caused hundreds of millions of pounds in financial losses for farmers.

Research from the think tank Green Alliance suggests that increasing the consumption of UK-grown pulses, such as beans, lentils, and peas, could mitigate these challenges. Replacing the equivalent of two pork sausages per person per week with pulses could save the average household approximately £100 annually and reduce water usage by 45 billion litres.

Pulses require 95% less domestic freshwater per kilogram to produce than beef. Beyond water security, the shift toward pulse-heavy diets is noted for its potential to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and provide health benefits consistent with NHS recommendations.