Swinney defends food prices policy ahead of first minister vote

Swinney defends food prices policy ahead of first minister voteJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJames Cook,Scotland editorandCraig Williams,BBC ScotlandGetty ImagesThe prices policy was a key promise in the SNP's manifestoSNP leader John Swinney has denied his food prices policy is an attempt to force a fight with the UK government.Speaking on the BBC's Today programme ahead of his anticipated re-election as first minister, Swinney said his plan to legally cap the price of some food items in supermarkets was a reaction to the cost of living crisis.He said people were "struggling to afford a very basic shop" and that he had a "public health responsibility" to provide an affordable nutritious diet.Under the SNP manifesto pledge, large supermarkets would be compelled to limit the cost of up to 50 essential items such as milk, eggs, cheese and rice.The party also promised to cap bus fares at £2 and expand childcare. The food price policy has received criticism from some, including trade association the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), which described it as a "gimmick".The SRC's Ewan MacDonald-Russell told the programme the policy risked forcing small shops - which are not covered by the proposed legislation - to be uncompetitive.SNP wins Scottish election as Reform and Labour tie for secondHistoric win for SNP but change and challenges ahead at HolyroodSupermarket food prices to be capped under SNP manifesto pledgeSwinney said "engagement" with producers and retailers on the legislation would be "crucial to get it right" but the challenge he has is "facing up to members of the public who are really struggling".It is thought the proposed legislation would require changes to the UK Internal Markets Act of 2020, which was brought in after Brexit to prevent trade barriers and regulatory divergence between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland as powers returned from the EU.Swinney...