Dave Thompson MSP

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch SNP MSP Dave Thompson is backing a law to help consumers get the best deals on food

Mr Thompson has today announced his support for the Price Marking Bill tabled by Jo Swinson, MP for East Dunbartonshire, and backed by the consumer organisation Which?  Jo Swinson MP’s ‘Consumer Information Bill’ will make supermarkets use clear and simple price labelling to help people whose budgets are being squeezed save money. Making price labels easier for consumers to understand is one way to keep more money in people’s pockets when they’re doing their weekly shop. The unit price is the price per Kg, litre, 100g etc of a product, and is provided to help shoppers compare prices between like-for-like products of different sizes, where a direct comparison may not be straightforward. For example, is a 600g jar of mayonnaise for £3.49 better value than a 400g far for £2.50? With clear unit pricing the answer would be obvious.

Commenting on this, Mr Thompson said: “For a long time now people across the UK have seen the cost of living go up and their budgets go down. With so many people concerned with rising food prices, more and more people are comparing supermarket prices.  Prices in the Highlands vary from town to town, and are often much higher in rural areas.

"People are more likely to find the best deals when they check per unit price displays and yet half of all people don't, saying displays are not clear enough.  This law would make it mandatory for supermarkets to use clear and simple labels so that people can find the best deals.

“In these tough economic times, it makes sense that supermarkets help their customers.  Not only will it encourage customers to return, it will also help people on fixed budgets make the most of their money when shopping for food.

“I would ask everyone who cares about this issue to visit which.co.uk/unitpricing and sign the pledge.

Commenting, Jo Swinson said: "People have the right to know exactly what they're paying for so they have the power to decide what is the best value for money. This is especially important at a time when household budgets are tight.

"I'm calling for clearer and simpler information to be displayed in supermarkets about how much things like fruit and veg, bread or cereal costs. This is a small change which will make a big difference, helping shoppers to compare prices and make informed decisions about where the best prices can be found."