Crime & Safety
Lamb costs soar in UK in last 3 years due to climate change
New analysis reveals that climate change has added £168 to the lamb bill of households that eat lamb regularly over the past three years.
The analysis, carried out by Zero Carbon Analytics for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), links extreme weather events—including droughts, heatwaves and heavy rainfall—to rising prices.
Lamb costs soar in UK in last 3 years due to climate change
Chris Jaccarini, land, food, and farming analyst at the ECIU, said: “As families and communities sit down to celebrate this Easter, the cost of climate change is hitting home.
“Lamb prices are through the roof after droughts, extreme heat and heavy rainfall have hit farmers’ costs of production, weakening grass growth and not allowing the depleted hay stores they depend on time to recover.”
The report found that since 2022, a series of weather “shocks” in the UK have pushed up the price of a typical 2kg leg of lamb by between 7 per cent and 21 per cent each time.
These increases were linked to disrupted grass growth and depleted fodder reserves, both key factors in lamb production.
The climate impacts have also affected other products, with beef and dairy prices rising in response to similar weather-related challenges.
Mr Jaccarini said: “As the current oil price shock threatens to bring yet another round of food price inflation, without faster progress towards net zero to bring balance back to our climate, as well as more investment in the resilience of our farmers, the affordability of food is worryingly exposed to these worsening shocks.”
The analysis used Met Office data and figures from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
It found that the 2022 drought drove lamb prices up by 11 per cent, the wet winter of 2023/24 by 25 per cent, and the more recent drought conditions by 13 per cent.
Each of these events directly affected grass growth, the report said.
Farmgate prices in 2024 led to a £5 (17.5 per cent) increase in the cost of a lamb roast at Easter, rising to £7 (21 per cent) by the following year.
Sheep farmers are feeling the impact firsthand.
Jack Cockburn, a sheep farmer from Ceredigion in Wales, said: “Here in West Wales, extreme weather is our biggest challenge.
“We’ve had two very wet winters in a row, which has meant poor grass growth due to waterlogged soils and low light levels with the very cloudy conditions.
“This has meant lambs going to the abattoir at lighter weights and less meat per animal.”
Best Easter Egg deals in UK supermarkets
Lamb is not the only product to see price hikes, with the cost of Easter eggs also rising.
Prices have gone up by two-thirds in three years due to poor cocoa harvests caused by heavy rain, drought, and heatwaves in West Africa.
Recent grocery inflation data from Worldpanel by Numerator confirmed that the average price of an Easter egg is now nine per cent higher than last year, at £3.27.
Savings experts have analysed Easter egg prices across major supermarkets and revealed which brands have shrunk the most – and where shoppers can still get the best value in 2026.
Experts say rising cocoa costs are partly responsible, but shoppers can still find good deals if they compare prices carefully.
Research by VoucherCodes.co.uk compared prices at supermarkets including Asda, Tesco, Aldi and Marks & Spencer.
The analysis revealed several standout deals across UK supermarkets.
Top picks include:
- Cheapest branded eggs: Asda, starting at £1.40
- Best budget luxury egg: Aldi Choceur Jammy Wheel Biscuit Egg
- Best multibuy deals: Asda 2-for-£8.98 offers
Best loyalty discounts: Tesco Clubcard and Morrisons More
- Viral premium eggs: Marks & Spencer
- Cheapest Cadbury Mini Eggs: B&M
According to the research, Asda currently offers the cheapest branded Easter eggs, with popular options around £1.40 for 100g.
For shoppers wanting something a little more indulgent without spending too much, Aldi came out strongly.
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Shoppers using supermarket loyalty schemes can also unlock better prices.
Both Tesco Clubcard and Morrisons More offer discounts on mid-range branded eggs.
For fans of Cadbury Mini Eggs, the research found B&M currently offers the best value.
Its 256g bag priced at £4.89 works out cheaper per gram than smaller packs or equivalent sizes in supermarkets.
What is your favourite thing to eat at Easter? Let us know in the comments.
Oxford Stand Up To Racism has accused Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, of inciting the ‘awful violent scenes’ in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2).
The city where 18-year-old Henry Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived became a scene of destruction after hundreds descended to smash car windows, hurl bricks and cause eleven officers and a police dog to be injured.
READ MORE: New date set for Tommy Robinson appearance in Oxford
Following the disorder, the chief of Hampshire police said those involved were ‘determined to spark fear and division’.
Yaxley-Lennon, who has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences including when he was imprisoned in October 2024 for contempt of caught, addressed the crowd at the riot.
He said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.
“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”
Oxford Stand Up to Racism is now renewing its call for the Oxford Union to withdraw its invitation for the ‘riot agitator’ to speak on June 17 on the subject of Islam.
He was originally due to speak at the historic debating society on Thursday, May 28 before his appearance was postponed over security concerns and after massive backlash.
READ MORE: Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene
Ian McKendrick, a member of the anti-racism group, said: “Despite Henry Nowak’s family clearly requesting that his death should not be used to promote further hatred, Robinson was at the centre of protests in Southampton last night and clearly inciting violence.
“Giving him a televised platform at the Oxford Union legitimises hate and violence, and gives him the opportunity to incite violence to an audience of millions.
“It does not promote free speech – instead, it promotes fear and intimidation among minoritised communities.
“Already we have seen Oxford fascists alongside Robinson in Southampton and now mobilising to bring more hate onto Oxford’s streets.”
Members of Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire were called to attend the Southampton protest on Tuesday night, with the leader of the group posting on Facebook to ask followers to join the ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ protest.
Mr McKendrick added: “There is a concerted effort by far right leaders and fascist groups to incite outrage and bring people on to the streets to riot.
READ MORE: Traffic chaos in Witney amid report of ‘major incident’
“We risk an explosion of violence similar to what we saw around the Southport murders across the UK.
“We’re calling on Oxford to say a clear ‘no’ to this hate and division by protesting against Yaxley-Lennon’s appearance at the Oxford Union.”
Faith and civic leaders of Oxford already wrote to the Oxford Union asking it to rescind the controversial figure’s invitation, and hundreds have signed an open letter calling for the same.
A reported incident at a junction in Witney is causing traffic chaos in the town, with drivers coming off the A40 and elsewhere stuck in long queues.
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An incident occurred in St Aldate’s, outside the entrance to Christ Church Meadows, at about 4pm on Tuesday, June 2.
At least three ambulances were responding to what appeared to be a medical emergency on the pavement.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire footbridge over A-road a collapse risk for years
An individual was scene on a stretcher being cared for by paramedics.
An eyewitness said the incident occurred opposite the Alice Shop, and the medical teams ‘evacuated’ the person.
Apart from the pavement briefly being blocked while the first responders dealt with the emergency, it did not appear to affect traffic or block the road in busy St Aldate’s.
South Central Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.
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