Food Price Inflation

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Critiques the absence of the Secretary of State during a time of crisis and highlights that rising food prices are exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis. He notes the reduction in agricultural producers and demands action on farming payments, labour shortages, energy costs, feed and fertiliser prices, and avian flu impact.

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Questions whether the primary responsibility for inflation control lies with the Bank of England through its remit letter, and if fiscal policy should help halve inflation.

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Expresses concern over food price inflation and its disproportionate impact on low-income households. Suggests an essentials guarantee proposed by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Trussell Trust to address food poverty.

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Compliments the Chancellor's decision to continue freezing fuel duty, highlighting its benefit for food producers and processors.

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Rising food price inflation is terrifying for many families, especially those using food banks despite being in full-time employment. What more can the Government do to help manufacturers and suppliers bring costs down?

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With measures helping people with cost of living pressures, can the Minister assure us that inflation will be halved by the end of the year as promised by the Prime Minister?

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Will the Minister agree to meet me and discuss the findings of the report on ending the need for food banks?

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What action is being taken to ensure a long-term food security plan that encourages domestic production?

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Why is UK food price inflation so high compared to other countries, with milk prices increasing by 42% and eggs by 32%, despite being below European spikes?

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How can the Department help producers facing high electricity costs that prevent them from growing crops?

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Will the Government apologise for causing higher food prices due to Brexit and allow constituents access to the single market like those in Northern Ireland?

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When will the Government consult on public sector procurement for an affordable and sustainable supply chain?

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Is the Minister proud of his Government’s record on food poverty with thousands of emergency food parcels distributed daily?

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Does the Minister believe that food price inflation will result in more people using food banks and what are his thoughts on supporting affordable food networks?

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Will the Minister stop making excuses and do something about the crumbling food bank network?

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Our constituents who use first-stage infant formula with their babies are experiencing soaring costs, and those who are unable to afford these increased prices are watering down the formula to make it last. Such products should be treated with the utmost caution, as unsuitable alternatives can damage the health of babies. What does the Minister have to say to families in our constituencies who are not able to afford infant formula for their babies? What action will he take to ensure these products are affordable and available to all?

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Many food and drink businesses express their frustrations to me about the lack of co-ordination between the Minister’s Department and BEIS. Given the influence of inflation, labour market challenges, and the need for technology adoption and automation in the sector, is it not time for a proper, co-ordinated sector deal between BEIS, DIT and the Minister’s Department for the food and drink industry?

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I grew up in West Dunbartonshire in the 1970s and 1980s, when de-industrialisation was compounded by recession after recession. Weak economic growth became the norm, well-paid skilled jobs were replaced with minimum wage service industry jobs creating a vicious circle that seems difficult to escape. Will the Minister advise my constituents, and similar constituents across these islands, who are living close to the breadline what the Government are doing for them, as Brexit Britain has brought about this 1970s food inflation?

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The Minister mentioned the number of children accessing free school meals. We have nearly 4 million children living in poverty, so will he explain what assessment he has undertaken of the impact of food price inflation on the delivery of school meals given that schools receive only £2.41 per pupil and that amount increased by only 7p over the last 13 years?

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There are 10 food pantries across my constituency supplying surplus food from supermarkets for between £5 and £10 per bag. The demand is so high that volunteers cannot keep up with people’s weekly shops at these pantries. FareShare, which coordinates the surplus food, is running out of surplus food. What will the Minister do to start dealing with the huge problem of constituents paying for a week’s food of whatever they can find for £10, which is almost past its sell-by date, but suppliers are running out?

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My concern is here and now: food banks in York are running out of food because demand is going through the roof, and people cannot afford to make donations. For my part, I am having a food drive on 31 March and 1 April for our city to donate. What is the Minister doing on his part? Will he make grants available to food banks so that they can actually feed our city?

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Our farmers were promised full replacement of EU support after leaving the EU. Instead, their subsidies are being phased out with a basic payment cut of 20% this year; in April, farmers’ energy bill support will be cut by up to 85%. Given those 2016 Government promises to farmers, will the Minister commit to stopping the phasing out of support payments until the new environmental land management schemes are fully rolled out so that we can bring down food prices?

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Food retailers report that food packaging costs have risen significantly. That contributes to higher prices in shops. What conversations have there been about supporting businesses in reducing packaging, or sourcing more affordable materials?

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I thank the Minister very much for his responses. He understands the issues well. He and the Government are doing their best. I hail from a constituency that grows the best potatoes: Comber potatoes. Everyone knows they are the best in the UK, and indeed the world. My constituency ships ready-to-eat mash and other veg throughout the United Kingdom. The potential is there for us to be self-sustaining. Will the Minister outline how he intends to support the farming industry so that it can make more British produce to sell in the internal market which will lower the price of staple foods? That, in turn, will lower inflation for all.