Clive Lewis MP, Shadow Secretary of state for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, commenting on Tesco boss Matt Davies’ warning that food price increases could be lethal, said:

“Last week’s Marmite shortage was thankfully short-lived, but this stark warning from the head of one of Britain’s biggest food retailers is a timely reminder that the worst is yet to come.

“With retailers’ hedging contracts coming to an end, the devalued pound will soon start feeding into food and other prices. Tory cuts and failed economic management mean that people are already struggling to feed themselves - there were well over one million visits to food banks last year. In such circumstances Mr Davies is right to highlight the threat posed by higher food prices.

“Urgent action is needed to manage this transition at minimum cost to people’s pockets or stomachs. Instead, having taken us into Brexit without a plan, the Tories are leading us from crisis to crisis."