Government must tackle soaring food prices

Labour demands Government spell out plan to tackle soaring food prices as cost of living crisis deepens

As inflation spirals and pushes up the cost of a weekly shop, Labour will demand the Government sets out its plan to tackle soaring prices and hunger in the UK.

Jim McMahon MP, Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, will use an opposition day debate in Parliament on Tuesday to urge the government to focus its efforts on fixing the increasing squeeze on households rather than saving the Prime Minister’s job.

Labour’s motion will note MPs’ concerns over “households bracing themselves for the biggest drop in living standards in thirty years; that the cost of living crisis includes steep price increases in everyday and essential food items, making the situation worse for the 4.7 million adults and 2.5 million children already living in food insecurity and risking more people experiencing food insecurity”.

Labour will say the Government is “making the cost of living crisis worse through tax hikes, low growth, falling real wages, and a failure to tackle the energy crisis” and will urge ministers to set out a national strategy for food, including how it intends to ensure access to high quality, sustainable, affordable food for all and meet the United Nations goal to end hunger by 2030.

It comes as millions feel the crunch across Britain, with families facing hiked taxes, soaring energy bills and rising inflation. 

Figures show 5,972 food parcels were distributed by the Trussell Trust in Oldham between April and September last year, a percentage increase of 121% compared to the same period five years ago in 2016.

Jim McMahon, Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, said: 

“At a time when inflation is spiralling, the government should be ensuring people across the country are able to buy healthy and good quality food. This can only be achieved by taking a responsible, strategic approach to this complex and increasingly important issue.

“Labour’s plan to keep bills low would cut £200 off most household energy bills, with £600 in total going to those households who need it most – cancelling out almost the entire rise in energy prices.

“The next Labour government would support British business to bolster sustainability and affordability of good quality food as part of our contract to deliver security, prosperity and respect for the British people.”