Food: Prices
The question
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rising food prices on household finances in the past 12 months.
Answered by Torsten Bell
The Government recognises that rising food prices can put pressure on household budgets, particularly for those on lower incomes. The Government monitors food price pressures through the Office for National Statistics’ inflation statistics and wider evidence on household spending.
In the 12 months to April 2026, food and non‑alcoholic beverage prices rose by 3.0% (CPIH), down from 3.7% in the 12 months to March. ONS analysis shows lower‑income households spend a larger share of their income on essentials such as food, energy and housing, meaning they can be more exposed to increases in these costs.
Reducing inflation is central to easing household cost pressures, and the Government is taking action to bear down on prices and support households.
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