1 December 2021
Units of Measurement

It has been the policy of successive UK Governments since 1965 to adopt metric weights and measures.  

I understand this decision was partly taken as there was a global trend towards metrication and the UK would therefore possibly have been at a global disadvantage if it did not use metric measurements.  

I know that imperial measurements continue to be used and therefore I am pleased that there are so many dual measurement products available, such as dual scale jugs or scales. Traders are permitted to use imperial units if they are used alongside metric in dual labelling and consumers can still request imperial quantities.  

There are some limited exemptions that allow for certain traditional imperial measures to be used, without metric alongside, for specific uses. Now the UK has left the EU, I understand the Government will consider whether further limited exemptions can be applied for other traditional uses.