Eating meat-free lunches on weekdays could save the NHS up to £2.2 billion a year, according to a new report.
The research by the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) estimated the sum could be saved due to a reduction in deaths from lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer.
The report also found cutting British meat consumption by 10 per cent would offset the emissions of 16 per cent of the cars on UK roads, while the average household could replace a fifth of the amount of meat they eat while saving £130 annually.
Former environment minister Lord Goldsmith, who is a patron of CAWF, said: “This powerful report by CAWF confirms what scientists and nutritionists have known for years, that even modest shifts in our meat consumption can yield significant benefits for our economic, environmental and personal health.
“This is a sensible and proportionate proposal that simply involves spending public money in a way that delivers a number of public goods.
“It is hard to imagine any serious arguments against it and I hope government takes it seriously.”
The report aims to educate the public and policy makers on the benefits of eating slightly less meat to allow them to make informed choices.
Conservative MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns said: “The health, wealth, and environmental benefits from reducing meat consumption are clear, but as Conservatives we believe genuine shifts in the nation’s diet should be achieved without resorting to heavy-handed government intervention.
“Individuals must be equipped with information like this published today, in order to make their own informed decisions.”
Tory MP Henry Smith added: “Rather than tell the public what they can and can’t eat, reports like this from CAWF are critical in empowering the public to make informed decisions about their diets and understand the impact those decisions can have on our planet and personal health.”
The report reviewed the latest literature in public health, climate science, economics, and behavioural science.
It modelled the potential benefits to Britain of different scenarios for meat reduction.
CAWF co-founder Lorraine Platt said: “Our report published today offers an innovative and exciting approach which has the potential to help alleviate some of the most pressing challenges our nation faces.
“We hope today’s report will serve as a catalyst for government to explore how meat reduction can empower individuals to take charge of their health, enable the Treasury to save healthcare costs, and the nation to make significant strides toward meeting its climate goals.”
