McMahon challenges Government over cost of living crisis

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has accused the Government of not having a plan to bring down food prices.

Mr McMahon - who is Shadow DEFRA Secretary - met with key insiders from the food and drinks industry this week to discuss issues in the sector. He was told that rising inflation, the CO2 crisis, and the rising cost of animal feed, fuel and energy means farmers and food producers are forced to put their prices up, passing the cost onto the consumer.

In Parliament yesterday the Oldham MP asked the Secretary of State to outline the government’s plan to combat rising prices and save Oldhamers money on their weekly shop. The Secretary of State did not answer the question directly, but pointed to the size of the food and drink industry and its importance to the UK economy.

Speaking afterwards Jim said: "There is no plan to combat rising food prices, and this is a theme that runs through the entire Government. They are so focused on saving the Prime Minister’s job that they are neglecting the very real cost of living crisis that’s hitting Oldhamers so hard at the minute.

"Unfortunately for the Government the Prime Minister's parties at 10 Downing Street, with cake and suitcases packed full of booze haven’t been enough to sustain the food and drink industry through these hard times.

"We deserve a Government that has a plan to combat the increasing cost of living and save people money on their weekly shop."

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