Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the easing grocery price inflation on (1) consumer spending habits, and (2) household budgets.

Inflation reduces real incomes, creates uncertainty, and threatens our growth outlook so it’s essential that the government continues with its efforts to keep inflation down. The government remains steadfast in our support for the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England.

Food inflation has fallen from a peak of 19.6% in March 2023 to 5.0% in February 2024.

The latest data suggests real household disposable income per capita was 1.4% higher in Q4 2023 than in Q4 2022.

ONS retail sales remained unchanged on the month in February. This followed an increase in retail sales volumes of 3.6% on the month in January, fully offsetting the decline in December. Food store sales were 2.8% higher in February than in December.