Supermarkets call for year-long delay on all but emergency legislation to fight cost of living crisis As reported by The Grocer

The BRC has told ministers regulation including the proposed rollout of extended producer responsibility (EPR) – a flagship element of the government’s environmental plans for the industry – should be put on hold so supermarkets can focus on keeping prices down. 

Giving evidence to the House of Commons Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Committee, BRC director of food Andrew Opie said the cost of living crisis was so extreme retailers should be devoting all their time and resources to helping people afford to feed their families. 

“This is a crisis moment,” Opie said. “We have got people coming into our stores using self-service tills because they are embarrassed at the thought they might not have enough money at the checkouts and might have to put things back. 

“That’s why the government needs to focus, just for a year or so, on helping supermarkets to do all they can to keep prices down.”