John Swinney has announced that an SNP government would implement maximum food price caps on essential items to combat the rising cost of living.
- Targeted Items: Proposed caps include bread, milk, cheese, eggs, rice, and chicken.
- Mechanism: Supermarkets would be required to offer one line of a specific essential item at a capped price.
- Primary Obstacle: The UK Internal Markets Act may require an exemption for the plan to proceed.
Implementation of Food Price Caps
The proposal would utilize public health powers, mirroring the approach used to establish minimum pricing for alcohol sold in shops. Under this system, retailers could still sell alternative varieties of the same product at higher market prices.
The plan comes as the UK government develops worst-case scenario plans for potential food shortages linked to the ongoing war in Iran.
Economic Data and Inflation
According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, the UK’s inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic drinks stood at 3.3%. This indicates that food prices in February 2026 were 3.3% higher than they were in February 2025.
Legal and Constitutional Challenges
Mr. Swinney acknowledged that the policy faces a “live issue” regarding its potential impact on small shop owners, food producers, and farmers. There is also a significant legal precedent to consider; the minimum unit pricing for alcohol took six years to implement due to court challenges.
Furthermore, the UK Internal Markets Act creates a constitutional hurdle by aiming to maintain a level playing field for businesses across the border. Scottish ministers would likely require an exemption from these internal market rules.
Similar clashes occurred previously when a Scottish deposit return scheme for bottles and cans was delayed following a dispute over internal market rules with the previous Conservative UK government. The SNP has since urged UK ministers not to block these proposed food price measures.
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