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MP Says UK Government "Asleep at the Wheel" as Food Prices Continue to Soar

Gordon MP Richard Thomson has accused the Conservative UK Government of being “asleep at the wheel” over their failure to tackle soaring food costs.  

Mr Thomson was commenting as the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium put food inflation at 15.4%, only a small drop from April’s record 15.7%, pricing many households out of basic food items.  

Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said: 

“The Conservative UK Government have been asleep at the wheel, presiding over record food inflation, caused by their cost-of-living crisis and reckless Brexit.  

“People are being priced out of basic food items at the same time as their energy bills and mortgages are soaring too.  

“At Trade Questions recently, I pointed out that governments across Europe are taking action to tackle soaring food prices caused by what is termed ‘greedflation’.  For example, in Ireland, supermarkets have been given a six-week ultimatum to bring down food prices; in France, the Government have agreed with retailers to keep the price of essential foodstuffs to the bare minimum; and Italy has set up a commission to monitor unusual movements in prices.  

“However, instead of action from the UK Government, they instead choose to vote against a proposal from SNP MPs that pressure be put on supermarkets to pass on falling food prices to consumers, thereby sending a clear signal to hard-pressed families in Scotland that the UK Government is not on their side.  

“With every passing day the Westminster parties refuse to take responsibility for their actions, and allow ordinary people to suffer, and it becomes increasingly clear that the only way we can support households and create economic prosperity that works for everyone is with the full powers of a normal country.”  

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