Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade Policy: Food Prices

Thursday 15 December 2022 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK's trade policy aims to increase access to affordable food from around the world through free trade agreements.
  • Recent trade barriers due to Brexit have been cited as contributing to a rise in food prices.
  • Government measures include council tax discounts to help with cost-of-living pressures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gavin Newlands SNP
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

A report by the UK in a Changing Europe think tank indicated that new post-Brexit trade barriers have caused a 6% increase in UK food prices, according to Justin King, former CEO of Sainsbury's.

Question

What assessment has been made of the impact of your Department's trade policies on UK food prices? A report from the UK in a Changing Europe think tank said that new post-Brexit trade barriers have caused a 6% increase in UK food prices. Justin King, former CEO of Sainsbury's, stated that Brexit is responsible for rising food prices.

Answer from Greg Hands

The UK's trade policy aims to increase access to good quality, good value food from around the world. Recent free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand reduce or remove tariffs on most goods which could help lower prices. However, many factors contribute to UK food prices and their precise impact is uncertain.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether staying in the EU would keep food prices low or if independence would result in lower prices as asked

How: Uncertain Impact

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Q2 Gavin Newlands SNP
Economy Brexit
Context

A report from the UK in a Changing Europe think tank indicated that new post-Brexit trade barriers have caused a significant increase in UK food prices.

Question

The report states that new trade barriers due to Brexit caused a 6% rise in food prices. The former CEO of Sainsbury's, Justin King, attributed rising food prices to Brexit. A Bank of England policy maker also said 'Brexit has fuelled a surge in UK food prices.' Does the Minister agree that staying in the EU kept food prices low and would independence keep them down?

Answer from Greg Hands

Food price inflation is a concern, but for the period mentioned, UK food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 16.4%, while in EU27 they rose by 17.3%. The premise of the question that staying in the EU would keep prices low or independence would result in lower prices is not accurate.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether staying in the EU kept food prices low as asked, provided only comparative statistics without acknowledging broader implications

How: Comparative Data

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Q3 Jo Gideon
Economy Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Families are experiencing cost of living pressures, with the British Retail Consortium reporting a record high 12.5% inflation in UK food prices in November.

Question

I have championed the availability of affordable, healthy and nutritious food for all regions and backgrounds in the UK. Families face cost-of-living pressures as evidenced by research from the British Retail Consortium which recorded a record high 12.5% inflation in UK food prices in November. What assurances can you give me that you are doing everything in your power through trade negotiations to mitigate the effect of food price inflation on ordinary working families?

Answer from Greg Hands

The Government has measures in place such as council tax discounts and further help. On food, ensuring commitment to free trade and diverse sources of supply is essential. Britain must remain open for food exporters to keep prices down while recognising the role of domestic agriculture.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurances or commitments regarding measures through trade negotiations as requested

How: General Principles

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