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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of private equity acquisitions in the groceries retail sector on trends in the level of employment across the food supply chain.

Defra does not hold any information on the impact of private equity acquisitions in the groceries retail sector on trends in the level of employment across the food supply chain. Any impact on competition as a result of private equity acquisitions are the responsibility of the Competition and Markets Authority. Levels of employment across the groceries retail sector are commercial decisions to be taken by retailers.