Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has launched a scathing attack on UK supermarket giants Tesco and Sainsbury’s, accusing them of unfair pricing practices that squeeze household budgets. The Labour frontbencher’s comments come as the party prepares its economic strategy ahead of the next budget.
Supermarkets Under Fire
Reeves claimed some retailers have been "taking advantage" of consumers during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. "When families are struggling to put food on the table, it’s unacceptable for big corporations to pad their profits," she stated in a recent interview.
Labour’s Economic Plans
The opposition party is reportedly considering several measures to address pricing concerns, including:
- Strengthening consumer protection laws
- Introducing tougher price transparency requirements
- Reviewing competition rules in the grocery sector
Industry Response
Representatives from both supermarket chains have defended their pricing strategies, citing rising supply chain costs and inflationary pressures. A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: "We’re committed to offering customers great value while paying our suppliers fairly."
With inflation still above target and household budgets stretched thin, the debate over grocery pricing looks set to dominate political discussions in the run-up to the next fiscal announcement.
