Scotland First Minister John Swinney has claimed that the Scottish National Party (SNP) will cap the price of supermarket groceries if the party is re-elected.
In a speech launching the SNP manifesto, Swinney announced that legislation to set a price cap on a basket of essential food items in Scotland’s large supermarkets will be in place this year, with formal discussions on the plan to be held within days of the party’s potential re-election. SNP will meet with retailers, farmers, primary food producers, public health experts and poverty campaigners as part of the discussions.
The SNP Fair Price Plan will apply to large supermarkets, and will set a maximum price for a basket of food items, expected to be up to 50 products.
SNP said it will apply to one product in a large supermarket’s range of such products as bread, milk, eggs, cheese, rice and chicken, and stated that the cap would allow supermarkets to continue to set prices on all other food products, including other bread, milk, eggs, cheese etc as long as one product does not exceed the maximum price. The cap would not include luxury items or apply to every type of product.
In his speech, First Minister John Swinney said: “The cost of living is hammering people, no more so than when they get to the supermarket till. Inflation has come down, but prices have not. People are, quite simply, struggling to afford food. In a rich country like Scotland that is a moral outrage. For some, the cost of food is so high, it is hitting their health and wellbeing.
“Now, with the current powers of our Parliament, I cannot normally set prices at the till. But things have got so tough, it is now impacting upon our nation’s nutrition. That is a public health issue – and I have public health powers. And so, I can announce today that, if re-elected, your SNP Government will use our Public Health powers to set a maximum price for essential food items.”
“People have been hammered by inflation… bold action is needed and it has to happen fast.”
Speaking after the party’s manifesto launch, Swinney commented: “Our Fair Food Price Plan will make it possible for people to get a basket of nutritious essential food at a price they can afford.
“So, if re-elected, we will convene a gathering of supermarkets, public health experts, poverty campaigners and farmers within days of forming the new Government. And the legislation for the price cap will be in place this year.
“People have been hammered by inflation. Prices have not fallen and too many families are struggling. Bold action is needed and it has to happen fast.
FDF Scotland warns policy could undermine long-term food security
Responding to the SNP manifesto proposal to introduce a statutory price cap on some food items, David Thomson, Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland’s chief executive officer, said: “This policy has the real risk of undermining investment, resilience and long term food security – crushing hard pressed food and drink producers who feed the nation and provide good, skilled jobs in communities across Scotland – many of them small and medium-sized businesses.
“Our sector is already facing intense pressure from rising regulatory and policy costs, alongside global economic challenges that are pushing up the cost of energy, ingredients and transport. Businesses have worked hard to absorb these pressures and keep prices as low as possible for shoppers, but there is no headroom left.”
Thomson continued: “We need clarity from the SNP on how this policy would operate in practice – who bears the cost, how supply chains are protected, and what safeguards exist to prevent challenges being pushed down the supply chain for Scottish producers if costs continue to rise.
“If ministers are serious about helping households, they should focus on addressing the underlying drivers of food price inflation. This includes reducing avoidable regulatory costs and supporting a stable business environment that allows food and drink manufacturers to continue investing, innovating and employing people across Scotland.”
