<\/p>\n
Supermarkets have been asked to cap the price of basic food items<\/p>\n
The SNP has accused the Treasury of an \u201cembarrassing\u201d attempt to mimick its food price cap on supermarkets. <\/p>\n
Big retailers have been asked to limit the price of basic grocery items, such as break, eggs and milk \u2013 just weeks after the SNP announced a similar plan.<\/p>\n
The SNP has accused the Labour government of criticising John Swinney\u2019s price cap policy while adopting the same approach to tackling the cost of living.<\/p>\n
It has urged Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to declare his support for Mr Swinney\u2019s plan which was announced during the election campaign. The SNP leader has promised early legislation.<\/p>\n
It is understood the Treasury\u2019s proposal, first reported by the Financial Times, is for a voluntary cap, though in a highly competitive market it would be optimistic to expect one to make such a move alone. It is thought the Treasury has made the request in exchange for an easing of regulations.<\/p>\n
The Treasury has declined to comment.<\/p>\n
SNP MSP Alex Kerr, said:\u00a0 \u201cAfter weeks of launching bizarre attacks on the SNP for wanting to ensure a fair price for hard-pressed households, the Labour Government has been caught trying to do exactly the same thing. They are in a complete mess.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis embarrassing revelation is typical of this Labour UK Government that is utterly distracted by infighting and chaos \u2013 the question is why did they oppose the SNP on this in the first place?<\/p>\n
John Swinney announced the cap at the launch of the SNP manifesto (pic: DB Media Services)<\/p>\n
\u201cAnas Sarwar must now confirm his support for our plans to ensure a fair price at the supermarket till \u2013 there is no two ways about it and we need to act quickly to support Scottish families.\u201d<\/p>\n
Retailers were critical of both parties\u2019 attempts to cap prices. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the \u201c1970s style price controls\u201d would \u201cforce retailers to sell goods at a loss\u201d.<\/p>\n
One retailer described the idea as \u201ccrazy\u201d and the act of a \u201cdesperate\u201d government which has been accused of forcing up prices by imposing higher taxes and wages.<\/p>\n
Food price inflation is currently 3.7% \u2013 while the overall rate of inflation was 3.3% in March, though it may rise to 4% when April data is published on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Some industry groups have warned the rate of food price rises could hit nearly 10% by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said there was already \u201cfierce competition between supermarkets\u201d, which had driven down prices.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenge facing retailers is a combination of higher energy and commodity costs resulting from the Middle East conflict, and the soaring cost of the government\u2019s domestic policies,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\t #Treasury #accused #copying #SNP #food #price #cap #Daily #Business<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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