Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost Increases: Food Producers and Consumers

Thursday 8 September 2022 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has caused significant increases in energy and food costs, with food costs rising by 12.7%.
  • The UK Government are committed to supporting UK farmers through financial measures and are planning further support in the coming months.
  • The Government are engaging with supermarkets to support community food projects and ensure affordable food for consumers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Stephens SNP
Ukraine Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Rising energy and food costs due to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine have affected both food producers and consumers.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the impact of rising costs on (a) food producers and (b) the cost of food for consumers?

Answer from Mark Spencer

Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has caused huge ripples around the world in spiking energy and food costs. Food costs rose by 12.7% in this year to July, but the Government have already taken action to support farmers with pulling forward basic payment scheme payments and supporting consumers with their energy bills.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address specific funding or policy commitments for food producers and consumers beyond acknowledging rising costs.

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Q2 Marion Fellows SNP
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The National Farmers Union of Scotland president urged the new Prime Minister to address immediate challenges facing farming and food production while ensuring food security.

Question

What funding support is being considered for Scottish and UK food producers, and what plans are there to ensure that affordable food is secured for consumers?

Answer from Mark Spencer

The Government are committed to supporting UK farmers through the use of taxpayers' money, but this is a challenge that we take very seriously and will see support over the coming months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details on funding or plans for securing affordable food.

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Q3 Chris Stephens SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Community food projects need discounted bulk supplies from supermarket depots to help address the cost of living crisis.

Question

Will he encourage the large supermarkets to enable community food projects such as Threehills Community Supermarket in Glasgow South West to purchase much-needed top-up supplies in bulk from their depots at a discounted rate, and can he assure the House that community food projects will be given top priority in his Department?

Answer from Mark Spencer

The Government continue to engage with those food retailers, and we will support them in any way we can to try to help our consumers. He also highlights community projects, which have a huge part to play in meeting the challenge.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific encouragement or commitment was given regarding discounted bulk supplies for community food projects.

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Q4 Caroline Ansell Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

South East Water has not made an explicit exemption for local food partnerships in the time of drought and water restrictions.

Question

Will the Minister join me in calling on South East Water to revisit its position, allowing exemptions for such partnerships?

Answer from Mark Spencer

Of course those water companies have other responsibilities as well, but the use of water for agricultural food production will be fundamental to our success. My hon. Friend may be aware that there is a debate in Westminster Hall later today on food infrastructure, and she may want to come and contribute to that debate.

Not addressed: The issue was not addressed directly; instead, the answerer suggested the questioner attend another debate.

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Q5 Fay Jones
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Welsh farmers produce world-class food, and the new Farming Minister's commitment to the red meat sector is sought.

Question

Will he take this early opportunity to restate his commitment to the red meat sector, and may I invite him to visit one of the seven livestock markets in my constituency?

Answer from Mark Spencer

We recognise the huge contribution that Welsh farmers make not only to lamb production, but to food supplied to our country. I would be delighted at some point, if my diary allows, to visit Brecon and Radnorshire to see one of those livestock markets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment was restated regarding the red meat sector.

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Q6 Jim McMahon Labour (Co-op) Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Economy Energy Business & Trade
Context

Rocketing energy costs have pushed inflation to a 40-year high, affecting households and food producers.

Question

What plans are in place to address the challenges faced by businesses due to rising energy and import costs and how will these impact food security?

Answer from Mark Spencer

We have already committed to £37 billion of support for consumers, and if the hon. Gentleman waits, he will be able to listen to the Prime Minister at the Dispatch Box later today setting out her plans to support those businesses and people across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific details on current or upcoming government support were provided beyond a general statement of commitment.

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Q7 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Northern Ireland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question addresses concerns over rising prices in the rural economy, fertiliser shortages, labour shortages for harvest, and the potential introduction of tariffs due to disputes with the EU over the Northern Irish protocol.

Question

Thank you ever so much, Mr Speaker. It feels like business questions. I thought I was getting away from the right hon. Gentleman, but there is seemingly no escape. May I welcome him to his new role and congratulate the new Secretary of State? I know they have a huge inbox—they do not have to seek problems. As we have heard, there are rocketing prices for the rural economy and astronomical price rises for the consumer, and on top of that there is a fertiliser crisis, agflation in the sector and a harvest that remains unpicked because of the lack of seasonal labour. So is this the right time to pick a fight with the EU over the Northern Irish protocol, with the real risk of tariffs being introduced for the sector? Is now not the time to climb down, negotiate properly and get the best possible solution for our farmers, our producers and our consumers?

Answer from Mark Spencer

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question; I, too, thought I had escaped him. He will be surprised to know that there is another method available to us, which the SNP does not understand. We do not have to pick a fight with everybody; we can actually talk to people and negotiate, and that is what we are doing with the EU. We are trying to build relationships rather than pick a fight with the whole world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific risks of tariffs on the rural economy due to disputes over the Northern Irish protocol were not addressed in detail.

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