Responding to figures from Kantar showing grocery price inflation hitting a record 16.7%, Newcastle North MP and member of the APPG on Ending the Need for Food Banks Inquiry taskforce, Catherine McKinnell, commented:

“Today’s record figures show that grocery prices continue to soar, further deepening the cost of living crisis. The increase could place an extra £788 on annual shopping bills.

“Food inflation is felt harsher by those on the lowest incomes and I am really concerned that this will lead to more and more people being unable to feed their families and being pushed into food poverty and needing emergency food support. We have also seen that many emergency food provider and food banks have seen a decrease in donations at a time when there is increasing need.

“We need a plan of action from this Government on tackling the cost of living crisis which is leaving the essentials out of reach for too many households.

“I have also been pressing the Government on the need to set out how they are going to fix the Healthy Start Scheme and ensure that those entitled to this support to help families access nutritious food is properly funded and taken up by those eligible.”