London War Museum show goes back to ration era

The London Imperial War Museum has some seasoned advice for Britons budgeting their way out of the worst economic downturn since World War II, learn a tip or two from the wartime rationing years.

The museum's Ministry of Food exhibition is dedicated to war experiences affecting Britain and the Commonwealth since 1914 and is marking 70 years since World War II food rations were introduced to Britain in January 1940.

The anniversary strikes at a time when many Britons are once again struggling to make ends meet, with the British government last week pointing to hefty spending cuts in its annual budget.

Britain may not be facing the food shortages which it confronted in wartime, but its residents are on budgets again and economic austerity often hits eating habits.

"We're addressing the problems people are meeting today, making foodstuff go further," Terry Charman, senior historian at the museum, said of the exhibition.