Swinney says SNP would set maximum prices for essential food items, using public health powers, on nutrition grounds
Swinney says people are struggling to afford food. That is an “outrage”, he says.
He cannot set prices at the till, he says.
But he says the Scottish government does have powers over public health. He goes on:
It is now impacting on our nation’s nutrition. That is a public health issue and I have public health powers, so I can answer today that, if re-elected, your SNP government will use our public health powers to set a maximum price for essential food items, reducing the price of the weekly shop, putting more money in people’s pockets.
Bread. Milk. Cheese. Eggs. Rice. Chicken. Everyday items that make up a decent diet. Necessities that no one should ever have beyond their means. That’s what you get with a government on Scotland side.
Key events
Q: Your price cap policy would be a big intervention in the free market. Do you believe in free market principles?
Swinney replied:
I do support the free market, but sometimes you have to intervene in markets to protect people. And that’s what I’m simply doing here.
It’s a limited intervention with a very focused purpose, which is driven by public health concerns that we have.
Q: Do you see your plan for price caps on essential food items as a temporary measure, or would be it permanent?
Swinney says there would be a sunset clause in the legislation, so it would be time limited.
Q: In the past trying to control prices has led to inflation. Are you worried about that?
Swinney says his policy would only apply to the prices of essential items. It would not cover all prices. So he does not see that being a problem, he says.
Q: Nigel Farage has said (in this interview) he would be open to letting Scotland having a second independence referendum. Does that mean your best interests are served by a Reform UK government in London, not a Labour government?
Good try, says Swinney. He says the best way to get independence is to vote SNP in Scotland.
Swinney says plan for maximum prices for essential food items would only apply to supermarkets, not smaller shops
Q: Will your plan for maximum prices for essential foods just apply to supermarkets, or will it apply to smaller shops too? Those shops are already struggling.
Swinney says he would consult on this, but the intention is for the policy to apply just to supermarkets, “who can take the financial strain of that particular issue”.
Q: You are talking about cutting energy prices. But how would you do that, because you don’t have the powers? And, even after independence, you would be dependent on international energy prices?
Swinney says the UK government is in charge of energy pricing, and they use a system where the price is set by the price of gas. If Scotland took responsibility for energy policy, it could change that, he says.
I‘m setting out to the UK government what they could do tomorrow in the exercise of their power, but they failed to do so.
And I’m simply saying if the UK government will not exercise those powers rationally on behalf of the people of Scotland, then make way for a Scottish government that will.
Swinney says it would be ‘realistic’ for independence referendum to be held in 2028 if SNP wins
Q: On Sunday you said an independence referendum could be held as soon as 2028. Do you think that is realistic?
Swinney replies:
I think it’s very realistic because I’ve set out to people in Scotland the proposition that I put that, if the SNP wins a majority, we should be able to take forward a referendum on independence. And the legislation is legislation with which we are familiar. It can be passed by the Scottish parliament in proper order to enable that decision to be taken at that time.
Q: Looking at the Aldi website, you can already get a loaf of bread for 55p, 15 eggs for £2, a kilo of rise for £1.39. Cheap items are available already. What prices are you thinking of?
Swinney says he is not going to set prices now. There would be a consultation. But he wants to ensure cheap food is available, he says.
Swinney says he is not proposing to put a cap on all prices in supermarkets. He says:
The way this would work is that it would not control all prices in supermarkets. It would place an obligation on supermarkets … to have an essential basket of items that individuals could reliably afford within the supermarket.
So a loaf of bread at an affordable level. But there could be other loaves of bread that were more expensive than that loaf of bread.
Fundamentally, it is about using our powers to protect the pursuit of a nutritious diet by members of the public, and a legitimate exercise of our powers.
Q: Have you consulted on your plan for maximum prices for essential foods? Do you anticipate a legal challenge?
Swinney says he believes he does have the power to do this. He would consult on implementation, he says.
Q: The manifesto says you want to simplify the tax system, but not increase rates or bands. Does that mean cutting some of the lower bands?
Here is the passage in the manifesto.
Swinney just repeats the pledge about not repeating the number of bands or rates.
Swinney is now taking questions.
Q: You say you will cut the number of public bodies. How many people would lose their jobs?
Swinney says there will be job losses, but frontline staff will be protected.
He does not give a number.
Swinney says the SNP will pursue policies to promote growth.
I want to use every single lever available to the Scottish government to boost economic growth, support innovation and attract investment.
He also recalls marching against the Iraq war in Glasgow 20 years ago, and says an SNP government stands for international justice.
He concludes:
On 7 May vote SNP for a government on Scotland’s side. Vote SNP for the trusted, experienced leadership that I offer as first minister. Vote SNP for bold action on the cost of living and on our health service. Vote SNP for hope over despair and vote SNP to give Scotland a fresh start with independence.
Swinney says SNP would set maximum prices for essential food items, using public health powers, on nutrition grounds
Swinney says people are struggling to afford food. That is an “outrage”, he says.
He cannot set prices at the till, he says.
But he says the Scottish government does have powers over public health. He goes on:
It is now impacting on our nation’s nutrition. That is a public health issue and I have public health powers, so I can answer today that, if re-elected, your SNP government will use our public health powers to set a maximum price for essential food items, reducing the price of the weekly shop, putting more money in people’s pockets.
Bread. Milk. Cheese. Eggs. Rice. Chicken. Everyday items that make up a decent diet. Necessities that no one should ever have beyond their means. That’s what you get with a government on Scotland side.
Swinney says SNP will cap all bus fares in Scotland at £2 if it wins
Swinney sums up some manifesto proposals already announced.
A re-elected SNP government will, for people trying to buy their first home, help you onto the property ladder with £10,000 towards your deposit.
For private renters, the right of first refusal to buy your home if it goes on sale for parents will intensify.
Scotland’s childcare revolution. Extending support over the next parliament to every child in the country from nine months old to the end of primary school all year round, and we will build on the success of the baby box with a new welcome to school bag.
Swinney says the Scottish government has already done a lot of concessionary travel, but it wants to go further, he says.
People need to be able to afford to get to the work, to go out and to see friends, to get out and about.
The cost of travelling from Hamilton, for example, to get here today by bus would cost more than £7. From Paisley it would cost £6. From Dumbarton it would cost £9.30. These costs are too high.
So I can announce today that if re-elected, an SNP government will cap bus fares at £2 in every part of Scotland.
