Cutting down on meat saved Brits more than £2.8 BILLION in 2018

A QUARTER of UK adults reduced their meat intake over the last year, saving an average £209 each.

Researchers found that the biggest motivations for making the change include health concerns, saving money and reducing the impact of meat consumption on the environment.

Commissioned by vegetarian brand, Linda McCartney Foods, the study found the proportion of vegetarians will increase from a fifth to a third by 2050 if present trends continue.

In fact, a third of Brits think there will be a time when there are more vegans and vegetarians in the UK than meat eaters.

And they are of the view this will happen in just 23 years’ time.

Further to this, more than half of those polled believe 2019 will see more people become vegetarian than ever before.

And 17 per cent of carnivores intend to reduce their meat intake this year.

Charles Banks, director of The Food People, said: “Vegetarianism has been growing over the last few years at a previously unseen rate.

“There are a number of motivations driving people to alter their behaviour, from ethics, economics, environment, health and accessibility.

“Therefore it is most often a combination of factors that are forcing consumers to rethink their daily diets.”

The research also found the UK’s meat-eaters currently eat meat five days a week on average – but more than a fifth have it EVERY day.

During a typical year they’ll spend a whopping £752 a year on meat.