As UK families struggle with soaring baby formula prices, political leaders are divided on how to address desperate parents resorting to theft. Here’s the full story.
Life or Death Issue
As families up and down the UK continue to struggle with the cost of living crisis, which has not abated despite receiving less press attention during the election, the ever-increasing cost of baby formula has emerged as a potential life-or-death issue for families in the UK.
Investigation Prompted Action
A Sky News investigation last year brought to light the struggles of families unable to afford baby formula, prompting supermarkets to reduce prices and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate allegations of profiteering by manufacturers.
Leaders Questioned on Theft
The issue was raised with the leaders of the four main parties, the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish National Party, in an interview with the Big Issue, who asked the four what they would do if they saw a struggling parent stealing baby formula.
Differing Stances Revealed
The answers to the questions revealed the differing stances of the leaders and raised questions about who those parties serve.
Starmer’s Compassionate Stance
Labour leader Keir Starmer took a remarkably compassionate stance on the issue, telling the Big Issue that if he saw a desperate parent stealing baby formula: “I’d offer to pay it. The desperation of families around the country should make the Tories feel nothing but shame.”
Police and Food Bank Vouchers
He added, “Of course, shoplifting is a problem for businesses, so we’d have 13,000 more neighbourhood police to provide reassurance on our high streets. But we’d also change the rules so people could use food bank vouchers and loyalty card points to buy baby formula.”
Swinney’s Supportive Approach
Scottish First Minister John Swinney echoed Starmer’s sentiments, stating, “I’d discreetly offer to pay as no parent should ever have to face this situation. Sadly, this is not hypothetical – I meet with my constituents, and people across Scotland, every week who face this kind of hardship.”
Sunak’s Concern for Shopkeepers
In stark contrast to the humanity on display by Starmer and Swinney, Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak seemed more worried about the shop owner than the person struggling to feed their baby.
Shoplifting Is a Crime
Sunak stated, “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and we’ll always support shopkeepers to prevent theft. At the same time, we will continue to help parents with the cost of living.”
Davey’s Alternative Help
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey offered a different perspective, suggesting he would try to persuade the parent not to shoplift and instead find alternative help.
Persuade and Help
Davey stated, “I’d try and try to persuade [the parent] not to, obviously. Try and find them other help, that would be the best way of doing it.”
CMA’s Crucial Investigation
The CMA’s investigation into allegations of profiteering by baby formula manufacturers is a crucial factor in the country’s ongoing food insecurity crisis. Manufacturers, accused of price gouging after raising prices by up to 45% in two years, have attributed price increases to higher production costs, denying that they are exploiting parents.
WHO’s Serious Concerns
However, no less a global authority than the World Health Organization (WHO) has also raised serious concerns about the inability of parents to afford baby formula in the UK, the sixth wealthiest country on the planet, and accused the manufacturers of exploiting families.
Profit-Driven Manufacturers
WHO technical officer Laurence Grummer-Strawn, in an incredibly frank interview with Sky News last year, called out the “profit-driven” baby formula manufacturers for “manipulating the price” of their formula to “increase the profits of these companies,” adding, “they have huge profit margins.”
Anticipated CMA Findings
The CMA’s findings, expected later this year, will be pivotal in determining whether manufacturers have unfairly raised prices. If they are found to have exploited vulnerable families, there will likely be a political reckoning.
Empathy and Action Needed
Dr Erin Williams, an infant feeding specialist and founder of Feed UK, a charity which supports parents, said to Sky News, “I think it shows real empathy and that hopefully they get it… they can see just how serious this is for some families. If Keir Starmer is in Number 10 Downing St soon, he needs to follow through on the promises quickly and work hard to stop parents finding themselves in these positions.”
Political Focus on Struggles
She added, “We need big political focus on the reasons why families are struggling this much… that includes benefits, job security and so much more.”
Election Approaches
As the election draws nearer, the cost of living crisis gripping the UK still affects families and households all over the country.
Will Change Happen?
With harsh questions being asked of both baby formula multinationals and politicians about how to solve food insecurity in Britain, it remains to be seen whether the struggles of families will lead to any real change in how the nation takes care of its most vulnerable and whether any concrete steps will be taken to ensure that no parent has to resort to theft to feed their child.
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