Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage businesses in the food sector to play a greater role helping to alleviate food poverty.

Defra officials have regular discussions with food retailers, and other sectors within the food industry, on the impact of food price inflation and availability of affordable food.

Through regular engagement, Defra will continue to work with food retailers and producers to explore the range of measures they can take to ensure the availability of affordable food. For example, by maintaining value ranges, price matching and price freezing measures.