Scots shoppers have described the “scary” rise in the cost of staple foods as their bills soar in the supermarket. Customers at the Morrisons store in Edinburgh’s Piershill told how they were struggling to make ends meet as the impact of inflation continues to bite.
Despite visiting several of the supermarket giants in search of the best deals, they said there was no way to avoid the cost of living crisis. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been told to get a grip on “out of control” inflation as the cost of everyday food essentials soared by up to 65 per cent over the last year.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that the cost of pasta has risen by 60 per cent in the year to September, while the price of tea has risen by almost 50 per cent. The Daily Record went to the Morrisons store to buy a range of items which have been hit by price increases over the last year.
The final tally came to £66.94 for a shop which included pasta, bread, vegetable oil, potatoes and milk. According to the ONS report, the cost for similar products last year would have come to £55.90 – a rise of £11.04.
Among the shoppers yesterday was Diane Cullen, 56, from Piershill, who said: “It’s ridiculous. So many things which were maybe a £1 before have jumped to £1.25 or £1.50, which adds up. I do day-to-day shops and you really notice the difference.
“I’ve started going to a number of supermarkets to see if they have offers on. I’ve changed brands to save money. It’s putting pressure on our household finances. It’s really scary to be honest.”
Nicola Duncan, 47, a mum-of-two from the city’s Lochend, said: “There’s four of us in the house, including two teenage boys, so you go through a lot of bread, milk, butter and vegetables. You have to buy them. There’s no real choice.
“You notice the increase most when you get your receipt. I tend to do a big shop once a week and go to various shops for bits and pieces during that time. You used to get a lot of offers in supermarkets but I think there’s less now. Things are more often full price.
“I work as a part-time administrator but I’ve told my husband that, if gas and electricity goes up next year to what we’re expecting, then I’ll have to work more hours. I think it will be the only option.”
Gordon McDougall, 86, a retired warehouse worker from the capital’s Willowbrae, said: “The final bill for my weekly shop is a lot higher now. Today was £115. Previously it was around £100. It’s quite a difference. I don’t know how someone totally reliant on the state pension can manage with food costs. It must be sheer hell.”
Lorraine Inglis, 56, a carer from Midlothian, said: “I’ve noticed a big difference in my shopping. It’s definitely much higher. Now when I’m in a store I think, ‘Do I really need that’, whereas before I would just put it in my trolley. I have to be more careful.”
Elizabeth Boyd, 90, a retired council worker from Portobello, said: “You notice you’ve not got as much money left in your pocket. You just have to grin and bear it. It must be so difficult for people feeding a family.”
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