A Cabinet minister suggested shoppers could choose value brands to help cope with rising food prices.
Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News that rising fertiliser and feed costs had hit the farming industry, partly as a result of soaring energy prices. He went on to highlight the "better news" - that there is a "very, very competitive retail market with 10 big supermarkets and the four main ones competing very aggressively."
He added: "Particularly on some of the lower-cost, everyday value items for households, so things like spaghetti and ambient products – there’s a lot of competition to keep those prices down." Mr Eustice acknowledged that the increased costs do get passed on "through the system" to items like "chicken and poultry, and some fresh produce."
But he continued: “Generally speaking, what people find is by going for some of the value brands rather than own-branded products – they can actually contain and manage their household budget. It will undoubtedly put a pressure on household budgets and, of course, it comes on top of those high gas prices as well.”
People have branded the minister 'out of touch' and 'patronising' for his response. Twitter user Jeremy Spencer said: "Are these people for real? They couldn't be more out of touch if they tried. Perhaps Eustice could recommend the value brands he and his chums consume?"
Lindsay Scott said: "They are really out of touch with society if they imagine most of us aren't already doing this" while Lynne Gull commented: "How patronising".
Sheltie Dreams highlighted: "The ‘value brands’ have risen in price too" and Dav Jac questioned: "How many tins of Aldi beans does he have in his cupboards?"
His comments have also prompted responses from other MPs. Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokeswoman Wendy Chamberlain said: “These comments show George Eustice and the Conservatives are living in a parallel universe. Families and pensioners who can’t afford their weekly shop need more help, not patronising advice from a clueless minister.
“This is the stark reality of Boris Johnson’s Britain. Oil and gas giants are raking in billions, while families are told to buy value food and pensioners are riding around on buses to keep warm.”
In March, inflation hit its highest rate in 100 years, at 7 percent. Households have struggled with the rising cost of living and soaring energy bills. And in April, Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) warned the cost of heating an average home has now doubled in 18 months, leaving 6.5 million households unable to live in a warm, safe home across the UK.
