Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Food

Thursday 25 May 2023 · 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Families on lower incomes spend a larger proportion of their income on essential foods, with inflation for many basics exceeding 30%.
  • The government provides 26 billion in targeted support to protect vulnerable households, with over 8 million households receiving cost of living payments worth 900 per household in 2023-24.
  • Food production is the primary purpose of farming, with support for improving environmental output and biodiversity while producing quality, high-welfare food.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Grant SNP
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on food costs have been held. High inflation rates for basic foodstuffs are affecting lower-income families disproportionately.

Question

Families on lower incomes spend a larger proportion of their income on essential foods, especially when inflation for many basics is over 30%. Constituents face significant cost-of-living increases, likely double the official rate. Government targets do not address immediate needs. How long will it take for food prices to return to pre-inflation levels?

Answer from Mark Spencer

We recognise the challenge and are protecting vulnerable households through £26 billion in targeted support. Over 8 million households receive cost of living payments worth £900 per household in 2023-24, with over 99% already distributed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: How long until food prices return to pre-inflation levels was not addressed specifically.

How: Protecting Vulnerable Households, Targeted Support

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Q2 Peter Grant SNP
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers face challenges in making a living from growing food, which could impact food prices.

Question

Will the Minister ensure farm support programmes deliver environmental goals and make it easier for farmers to earn from growing food? This would help reduce food prices.

Answer from Mark Spencer

Food production is the primary purpose of farming in this country. We back our farmers to produce quality, high-welfare food while also improving environmental output and biodiversity.

Answered
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Q3 Theresa Villiers Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers need to earn a living from growing food, which could affect food prices and the environment.

Question

Will the Minister ensure farm support programmes deliver environmental goals and make it easier for farmers to earn from growing food? This would help reduce food prices.

Answer from Mark Spencer

Food production is the primary purpose of farming in this country. We back our farmers to produce quality, high-welfare food while also improving environmental output and biodiversity.

Answered
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