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MP’s Concern as New Stats Reveal Brexit Bite with Shoppers Facing Higher Costs
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is warning of further price increases and disruption in the coming months due to Brexit after new statistics confirmed a rise in shop prices.
The BRC’s chief executive Helen Dickinson said that: “Food retailers are fighting to keep their prices down as far as possible. But mounting pressures – from rising commodity and shipping costs as well as Brexit-related red tape, mean this will not be sustainable for much longer, and food price rises are likely in the coming months."
She added: “...in the run-up to Christmas the situation could get worse, and customers may see reduced choice and increased prices for their favourite products and presents.”
It comes days after Scotland’s food and drinks industry also wrote a joint letter warning that the double hit of Brexit and the pandemic has put further pressure on the labour market in Scotland and is "putting the growth, viability and security of many Scottish businesses in jeopardy."
Commenting, SNP MP for Gordon Constituency Richard Thomson said:
“The damaging and costly impact of the Tory government’s Brexit obsession continues to hit hard and is further in evidence with every day that passes.
“Figures revealing rising shop prices coupled with the grim warning that the coming months are likely to see further disruption, reduced choices, and an increase in food prices, fully vindicate the years of warnings that Brexit would do enormous damage to businesses, households and the economy.
"Brexit has been nothing short of an unmitigated disaster – with recent reports also highlighting post-Brexit supply chain issues leading to food shortages and Scotland's vital food and drinks industry under severe pressure.
"This act of economic vandalism has been imposed upon Scotland against our will by a Tory government we did not vote for.
“It’s clear that Scotland is increasingly vulnerable under Westminster control and the only way to keep Scotland safe from the long-term damage of Brexit is to become an independent country."
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