Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of large supermarkets on preventing rises in food inflation from adversely raising the cost of basic foodstuff compared to luxury ranges.

Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.

The Government monitors consumer food prices using the Consumer Prices Index including Housing costs (CPIH). Food prices are set individually by businesses. It is not for the UK Government to set retail food prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions by the companies. The UK Government will continue to work closely with industry to promote transparency for consumers and internationally to promote open markets via the Agricultural Markets Information Systems.

The Government is committed to providing a strong welfare safety net of financial support for those that need it and has put in place measures to support vulnerable and low-income households, including the Household Support Fund to provide £500 million to help vulnerable people with the cost of food, utilities, and wider essentials over the winter months. Consumer food prices depend on a range of factors including agri-food import prices, domestic agricultural prices, domestic labour and manufacturing costs, and Sterling exchange rates. Some of these factors are influenced by our trading arrangements with other countries. Change in food prices is dependent on changes in one or more of these factors.