MP highlights link between food prices and energy prices
Speaking during a Commons debate on food prices, Andrew Bridgen highlights the link between food price inflation and energy and fuel price inflation.
Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): Does the Secretary of State agree that the major contributory factor to food price inflation is energy and fuel price inflation? They are indelibly linked.
Mrs Spelman: Shortly, my hon. Friend will hear me expand correctly on the analysis of what is driving food price inflation.
It is important to remember that in 2010 the average family spent 11.5% of its household budget on food. The figure is greater for low income families, at 15.8%, but it is coming down; the 2010 figures are 1% lower than two years previously. That is a very important fact—the trend is that household expenditure on food in the lowest income families is coming down.