THE UK Government has been told no one should be “forced to go hungry” and has been urged to introduce cost controls on spiralling food prices.
On Tuesday, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced that UK inflation remained unchanged last month, but food and drink price rises have accelerated for the fifth month in a row.
The rate of food and drink inflation rose to 5.1% in August, from 4.9% in July, as shoppers continued to face higher prices for items at the till, with inflation remaining at the highest level since the start of 2024.
Following the release of the latest inflation figures, Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay has called for the UK Government to work with retailers to bring in cost controls to ensure “everyone can afford to eat”.
“Everyone deserves good food to eat, and in 2025 nobody should be worrying about how they will afford their shopping,” Mackay said.
“We cannot allow food insecurity to worsen. The cost of living crisis is far from over for the many people who are already relying on foodbanks or being forced to go hungry.”
Mackay’s calls come as food insecurity already affects 7.5 million people, including children, living in food poverty across the UK, according to the UK Government’s own statistics.
Food items like vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese and fish helped put pressure on the overall rate of inflation in August, the ONS said as prices continue to soar.
Several large retailers and supermarkets have blamed rising business costs – namely employer national insurance contributions and new packaging taxes – for helping worsen food inflation in the UK.
However, Mackay said supermarkets and retailers should not be allowed to profit from essential foods and that the UK Government must work with them to make sure essential items are affordable for everyone.
“It doesn't need to be this way. The cost of food should not be outstripping wages. Supermarkets and retailers should not be given carte blanche to profit from essentials like food.
“The UK government must work with supermarkets and retailers to ensure prices are affordable for every budget. Price protections can have an important role in ensuring that people are able to fill their plates and feed their families.”
Mackay added: “There must also be a relentless focus on raising people’s incomes and living standards, rather than the approach we have seen with social security cuts that are plunging families into poverty.
“There is nothing more important to us than our health and being able to access good, affordable and nourishing food. It is the bare minimum that the UK government should be doing to help ease the financial strain of skyrocketing costs.”
Economists believe the overall Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and food inflation are likely to rise further this year.
Following the release of inflation figures, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “I know families are finding it tough and that for many the economy feels stuck.
“That’s why I’m determined to bring costs down and support people who are facing higher bills.”
