Try GOLD - Free

Starmer refuses to back reduction in meat-eating

The Independent

|

March 02, 2025

Sir Keir Starmer has skewered efforts by his chief climate change adviser to encourage people to eat less meat by reducing their intake by the equivalent of two kebabs a week.

- DAVID MADDOX

Starmer refuses to back reduction in meat-eating

The prime minister was famously vegetarian for 30 years and did not let his children eat meat until they were 10 but has insisted that he does not want to get involved in people’s personal decisions on how they live their lives.

Sir Keir was challenged after remarks by Emily Nurse, head of net zero at the Climate Change Committee. In a recent interview, she said: “We are absolutely not saying everyone needs to be vegan. But we do expect to see a shift in dietary habits to get to net zero.”

MORE STORIES FROM The Independent

The Independent

The Independent

Putin's shadow war with the West has started in earnest

Shortly before Christmas, the new chief of MI6, Blaise Metreweli, made her first public speech since taking charge.

time to read

4 mins

January 10, 2026

The Independent

The Independent

Storm Goretti leaves a trail of destruction across Britain

Hurricane-force winds and heavy snow battered the UK as Storm Goretti caused chaos around Britain, leading to flight cancellations, school closures and power outages.

time to read

3 mins

January 10, 2026

The Independent

The Independent

Why Davey is the people's choice for PM in a coalition

Of all the possible combinations of parties in a hung parliament, the one the most voters want is Ed Davey as prime minister in a coalition between the Liberal Democrats and Labour, according to a YouGov poll.

time to read

3 mins

January 10, 2026

The Independent

The Independent

Arsenal's squad depth may prove pivotal in title race

Mikel Arteta first turned to Myles Lewis-Skelly.

time to read

3 mins

January 10, 2026

The Independent

The Independent

How did we end up with a £28bn defence black hole?

The Ministry of Defence is facing a shortfall of £28bn over the next four years, according to reports.

time to read

3 mins

January 10, 2026

The Independent

The Independent

Trebles all round! Littler lands record £20m deal

Luke Littler has signed the most lucrative deal in darts history after agreeing a record £20m deal with his sporting supplier.

time to read

1 mins

January 10, 2026

The Independent

The Independent

Greens could join pact with Labour... if Starmer goes

Zack Polanski reveals his terms for a deal to stop Reform

time to read

3 mins

January 10, 2026

The Independent

The Independent

Russia launches hypersonic Oreshnik missile at Ukraine

Moscow fires intermediate-range nuclear-capable weapon for only the second time as massive airstrike targets capital Kyiv

time to read

2 mins

January 10, 2026

The Independent

The Independent

In the loopy: Truss has gone from PM to podcast oddball

Liz Truss, as you may have gathered, is not at peace with herself. Channelling Dylan Thomas, she is not going gentle into the good night of post-prime-ministerial retirement. She is, as the poet urged, burning, raving and raging. Particularly, raving.

time to read

4 mins

January 10, 2026

The Independent

The Independent

Hollywood blockbuster as Wrexham knock out Forest

Wrexham won 4-3 on penalties

time to read

2 mins

January 10, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size