This data shows national polling results from More in Common, from the first chapter of The Food Conversation.

The polling data shows that most citizens want the government to take more action on food to protect health, children and the environment. 75% of the public think that the government is not doing enough to “ensure that everyone can afford healthy food”, compared to only 3% who say that they are doing too much. Similar percentages applied across every government intervention we asked about: “protecting children from unhealthy food and drinks”(67%/5%), “stopping farms from releasing animal manure and harmful chemicals into rivers and the sea” (62%/6%), “minimising the environmental impact of the food we eat” (60%/7%), and “ensuring that shops and public places (like hospitals) have healthy food options” (59%/5%).

In significant majorities, people also back: fines on food producers that pollute the environment (79%); a target for reducing ultra-processed foods in shops and on the high street (74%); support for farmers to help them transition to more sustainable farming practices (68%); and support for people on low incomes to afford healthy food (79%).

Explore the data below.