Food Inflation 2023-11-14
2023-11-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
UK food inflation has been rising significantly, driven by global factors.
What recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of trends in the level of food inflation?
UK food inflation has been driven largely by global factors and has already fallen from 19.6% to 12.3%, with external forecasts predicting it will continue to fall.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Between March 2021 and April 2023, the cost of first infant formula increased by an average of 24%, with some cheapest brands rising by 45%.
Why does he believe it is right for companies to profit while families struggle to feed their babies?
The Competition and Markets Authority has not yet found evidence of weak competition driving high food price inflation, but they are continuing their review.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific profit implications for companies were not addressed.
Looking At The Supply Chain
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Research shows a significant decline in UK children's height rankings since the austerity programme launched in 2010.
What lessons has he learned from previous errors of judgment regarding austerity, and how will he support vulnerable groups?
Reducing the deficit allowed the Government to provide over £3,000 in payments per household during the pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific lessons learned from past errors were not detailed.
£34 Billion Of Measures
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports that food prices have increased twice as fast as benefits since September 2021.
Will the Chancellor commit to raising benefits in line with inflation?
We took the decision last year to uprate benefits by inflation and committed £94 billion of measures to help families through the cost of living crisis.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to September's inflation rate was not given.
£34 Billion Of Measures
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about transferring food-producing land to other uses.
Will my right hon. Friend consider fiscal measures to discourage the transfer of food-producing land?
We need to keep priorities under review, balancing nature with food production.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific fiscal measures were not addressed.
Keep The Priorities Constantly Under Review
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The consumer organisation Which? described practices by Tesco and Sainsbury's as 'dodgy'.
Which supermarkets has the Chancellor held to account over rising food prices?
We had supermarkets in over the summer to ensure they were doing everything possible to manage food price inflation.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific supermarket accountability was not detailed.
Independent Competition And Markets Authority
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
Other Governments have met grocery chains to stabilise food prices.
Is it not the case that this Westminster Government is doing nothing for people facing high food bills?
We have provided £94 billion of support to help families with food and energy prices.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy