What We Heard in Westminster: Policy Signals for UK Food Businesses
Emma Victor-Smith, Partnerships & Advocacy Director, 28/11/2026
Future Food Movement attended the Family Business UK Westminster reception, an annual event bringing together policymakers, family business leaders and industry advocates to share perspectives and shape priorities.
The atmosphere was focused, thoughtful and purposeful, with clear signals emerging from both the government and opposition benches. For our members in food and farming - many of whom are family-owned or closely linked to family suppliers - there were several key insights to note.
1. Family businesses are being positioned as critical to UK growth
Speakers from both major parties emphasised the essential role family firms play in economic resilience, employment and regional regeneration. The Shadow Minister for Trade stressed that one million young people are currently not in education, employment or training - and that family businesses could lead on re-engagement.
This is an important moment to show how our sector supports inclusive employment and skill-building - especially through future-focused initiatives around sustainable food, digital adoption and net zero transition.
2. Export and trade were framed as urgent opportunities
Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State for Trade Policy, shared the government’s ambition to cut regulation by 25 percent and double the number of UK exporters. He used the new India trade deal as an example, highlighting tariff reductions on food categories like biscuits.
While the export agenda isn’t top of mind for all businesses, these agreements signal opportunity - especially for food brands with strong provenance and high-quality, sustainable credentials.
3. Succession planning and tax relief remain top political priorities
The clearest policy pressure point is inheritance tax, particularly the future of Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). Family Business UK has become a strong voice in protecting these reliefs, arguing that current caps threaten the long-term continuity of family businesses.
While this isn't a core area for Future Food Movement, it's a reminder of the financial complexity facing many businesses behind the scenes, and the opportunity to support long-term planning that includes sustainability, succession and resilience as interconnected priorities.
4. Banks and partners want to support long-term thinking
NatWest reiterated its commitment to supporting mid-sized and family-owned businesses, particularly around workforce skills, regulatory understanding and trade finance. There was a strong sense that partnerships between banks, policy groups and networks like Future Food Movement can help strengthen the case for investment in future-fit business models.
Why this matters for Future Food Movement members
Policy conversations are increasingly recognising the long-term value of family ownership, and there's space to show how that value also supports sustainability and health.
Succession, skills and regulation are dominating attention, bringing sustainability into these conversations as a resilience tool could land better than climate/nature/health messaging alone.
There's a growing appetite for trusted peer learning on policy, planning and transition, something Future Food Movement is already well placed to provide with new Thinking Partner Networks ready to launch for Next Gen C-Suite Leadership, Innovation Directors and ESG Directors and more.
We’ll continue to connect into these events, and we’ll be sharing new routes for members to engage more directly with policymakers and peers through our Public Affairs Network. If members would like to be involved, please get in touch: emma.victor-smith@futurefoodmovement.com