Diabetes, Diet and the Latest England Figures

England’s 2025/26 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) recorded 4,237,794 people aged 17 and over on participating practices’ diabetes registers, or 8.13% of their registered population in that age group. This includes diabetes types together; it is not a type 2-only count or a UK total. Reviewed 15 October 2026.

Key Facts & Figures

  • 4,237,794 people aged 17+ were on England’s participating QOF diabetes registers in 2025/26.
  • Recorded diabetes prevalence was 8.13% of the relevant registered population.
  • QOF register counts exclude undiagnosed diabetes and do not estimate it.
  • 5,062,393 people aged 18+ were on participating practices’ non-diabetic hyperglycaemia registers.
  • Recorded non-diabetic hyperglycaemia prevalence was 9.86% of the relevant registered adult population.
  • The QOF release covered 6,145 practices in England; its registers are not a survey of all UK residents.
  • Remission can occur for some people with type 2 diabetes; a particular amount of weight loss does not guarantee it.
  • The diabetes register rose from 4,088,220 in 2024/25 on the release’s comparable-practice basis; the difference is not the number of newly diagnosed cases.
  • Diabetes can cause foot complications, including ulcers, infection and sometimes amputation.
  • Regular diabetes reviews help identify and manage complications.
  • Type 2 diabetes risk is influenced by multiple factors; it is not explained by diet alone.
  • The NHS Path to Remission programme is available to eligible people in England.
  • In the original DiRECT trial, 86% of those who lost at least 15 kg were in remission at one year; this was a trial subgroup.

The Diet-Diabetes Connection

Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance and/or insufficient insulin. Diet and activity can help manage blood glucose, but age, family history and other factors also affect risk. It should not be described simply as a disease caused by eating sugar.

NHS advice includes a balanced diet with fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and pulses, alongside appropriate activity and prescribed treatment. A GP or diabetes nurse can help tailor changes to the person.

Research links some dietary patterns with type 2 diabetes risk, but observational percentages do not prove that a particular food caused an individual’s condition.

Physical activity can support diabetes management. Changes to treatment, major dietary restriction or intensive weight-loss programmes should be discussed with the clinical team.

Type 2 Diabetes Remission

Remission is possible for some people, but it is not a permanent cure. Blood glucose can rise again, and continuing monitoring remains important. Research results should be interpreted with their eligibility criteria and follow-up period:

  • DiRECT: Almost half of the intervention group achieved remission after one year in the original trial.
  • Weight-loss subgroup: 86% of participants who lost at least 15 kg achieved remission at one year; this does not mean everyone can expect that result.
  • NHS service: Early programme data found remission in 32% of people who completed it and had two recorded HbA1c measurements. This selected denominator differs from everyone referred.

Type 2 Diabetes and Food Safety

Food businesses should provide safe food and reliable information while respecting individual dietary needs:

  • Food hygiene: Maintain safe cooking, storage and contamination controls for every customer.
  • Care settings: Follow the person’s care plan and clinical dietary advice rather than imposing a standard “diabetic diet”.
  • Information: Keep ingredient and allergen information accurate. Diabetes is not itself a food allergy, and Natasha’s Law concerns PPDS allergen labelling.
  • Schools: Follow applicable school food standards and individual medical support arrangements.

Written by Food Safety Experts

This article was created by the team at Level 2 Food Hygiene, dedicated to promoting food safety and public health across the UK.

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Mark McShane
Mark McShane
Health & Safety Training Specialist, Online CPD Academy

Mark writes about food safety, food hygiene and accredited online training for Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, part of Online CPD Academy.