Swinney says food price cap plan won’t see costs passed onto farmers

John Swinney has said his government is working on measures to prevent the costs associated with food price caps being passed onto producers.

The SNP has committed to bringing forward legislation within the new government’s first 100 days which would cap the cost of some essential food items.

One of the concerns raised about the plan is that supermarkets may look to pass costs to producers and farmers.

Swinney said the government would seek to put in place the “necessary mechanisms” to ensure costs are not passed on by the supermarkets.

He said the cost-of-living crisis would be “top of my agenda” as first minister.

He said: “Over the course of the election campaign, the people of Scotland were clear with me that the cost of living was their biggest concern.

“I pledged that doing everything I can to support people through it would be top of my agenda as first minister – and that is exactly how I will govern.”

Unveiling the proposal last month in the run-up to the election, Swinney said his government would seek to cap up to 50 “essential” food items, something that is done in other European countries, notably France.

Legislation is pledged in the first year of a new SNP-led Scottish Government in an effort to ease the cost of living and improve public health by boosting nutrition.

But the Scottish Retail Consortium has called it a “potty gimmick”. The Scottish Grocers’ Federation warned it could put smaller retailers out of business. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has called it both “radical and risky”. And the UK Government – which would likely have to agree to the measure under the Internal Market Act – has said the proposal is “incoherent and undeliverable”.

Other pledges from the SNP include a First Homes Fund, offering up to £10,000 of support for first time buyers, and the extension of a £2 bus far cap beyond the Highlands.

“We will take swift and early action to support people with the cost of living,” Swinney added. 

“In the first 100 days of the new government, we will take action on food prices, we will begin reducing the cost of people’s daily commute and we will offer first time buyers up to £10,000 support to get on the property ladder.”