A 6% rise in food prices in the last year has hit hard families in Teesside and the rest of the country, resulting in a family with two young children paying as much as an extra £350 a year.
In the House of Commons, Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham challenged Ministers from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs over this increase, questioning the government’s lack of positive action to tackle speculation in food prices and its harmful impact on families.
The Secretary of State for DEFRA, Caroline Spelman however, dodged the question, merely blaming ‘market fundamentals’ for the recent rises, and failing to outline any concrete plans to improve the situation.
Alex said:
“It is clear that the Tory-led government are sticking their heads in the sand over food prices. Families are already feeling
the squeeze from stagnating wages, the VAT increase and rising fuel and energy costs, and these latest food price increases are something many families simply cannot afford.
“That the government is refusing to take appropriate action for better regulation and supervision of agricultural financial markets to ensure ordinary people can put food on the table is shameful.”