We work across Government to provide consumers with the information with which to make choices about healthy, sustainable and affordable diets.

The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme gives free fruit and vegetables to over 2 million children, and through 'Healthy Start' the Government provides a nutritional safety net, in a way that encourages healthy eating, to more than half a million pregnant women and children under four years old in very low income and disadvantaged families throughout the UK. Through the Public Health Responsibility Deal the Government is working with business and others to encourage and enable people to eat more fruit and vegetables.

We also work internationally to promote transparency, open global markets and a competitive domestic market to help producers and retailers offer the best prices to consumers.

The Health Survey for England has collected information on children's fruit and vegetable consumption since 2001. Between 2001 and 2004, there were no significant changes in mean portions of fruit and vegetables consumed among children aged 5-15, but there was an increase in 2005 in the average number of portions of fruit and vegetables eaten daily. There was a further significant increase among girls in 2006.

In 2011, the survey¹ estimated boys consumed an average of 3.0 portions of fruit and vegetables per day and girls an average of 3.3, compared with an average of between 2.4 and 2.7 portions per day among boys and between 2.6 and 2.7 portions per day among girls between 2001 and 2004.¹ Health Survey for England—2011, Health, social care and lifestyles

www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB09300

[holding answer 10 June 2013]: DEFRA actively monitors retail food prices and their impact on household expenditure through its Family Food Survey. We know that some households are seeing the amount they spend on food and non-alcoholic beverages increase and there is evidence that households are trading down to cheaper products. On average in 2011 food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 11.3% of all household expenditure, up from 10.8% in 2008.

The amount UK households spend on fresh and processed vegetables has been increasing, reflecting price increases. However, the 2011 Family Food Survey reported that in 2011 purchases of '5 a day' were unchanged for the third consecutive year, at an average of four portions per person per day.

Public Health England, in partnership with Health Departments across the UK, monitors the food consumption and nutrient intakes of the general population using data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS). Results from the survey are published regularly, and are reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). The most recent results were published in July 2012.¹

We work internationally to promote transparency, open global markets and a competitive domestic market to help producers and retailers offer the best prices to consumers.¹ Bates B, Lennox A, Prentice A, Bates C, and Swan G (Eds.) (2012) National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Headline results from Years 1, 2 and 3 (combined) of the rolling programme (2008-09—2010-11)