Using the previous World Wars and several bits of Government legislation as a guide, the priority list for who could get rations first in the UK becomes very clear
If World War 3 did break out, the chances of rationing breaking out in the UK would be quite high – as has been proven by the previous two world wars. And while many Brits will already be contemplating dashing off to their nearest Aldi or Tesco and stockpiling as much non-perishable food as possible (and toilet roll), you might not be able to do so for very long.
Thanks to a list from the Food Chain Emergency Liaison Group (FCELG), there is actually a priority list of who can get essentials first when we inevitably move to a food stamp-style system.
But what is the snappily named FCELG? Well, in their own words: “The FCELG is the industry sector working group with membership drawn from food chain sectors, mainly from trade bodies, and relevant government departments, including Devolved Administrations and agencies.
“The group usually meets quarterly to identify and mitigate potential risks to food supply and interdependent sectors.
“It is also convened in an emergency to act as the conduit between the food industry and central government. The group . . . communicates the latest UK government position from respective departments and Devolved Administrations to its members. It also allows industry to communicate issues related to food supply to the relevant government teams.”
Basically, they decide who gets what, when and how, and via the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004 and Food Chain Emergency Plan (FCEP).
When looked at together, the priority list is as follows:
Priority Group A: The Clinically Vulnerable
Official Definition: “Individuals whose health would be at immediate risk if they were unable to access specific nutritional requirements or if they were exposed to public environments during a health-related emergency.”
Priority Group B: Low-Income Households with Dependents
Official Definition: “Households eligible for statutory nutritional support, including the Healthy Start Scheme and Free School Meals (including the 2026 expansion to all Universal Credit recipients).”
Priority Group C: Frontline “Blue Light” and Critical Infrastructure Workers
Official Definition: “Staff essential to the maintenance of public order, health services, and the food supply chain itself.”
But fear not, all of this can only happen when the Prime Minister declares so – but also any secretary of state, or “commissioners to HM Treasury”.
The official order list is:
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting
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