Stephen Flynn has told Rishi Sunak to "get real" over food inflation as prices continue to rise.
The SNP Westminster leader asked Sunak if he agreed that we are facing a "cost of greed crisis" during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
This came after it was announced that food inflation remains near a 45-year high.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the food Consumer Prices Index (CPI) is at 19.3 per cent.
Overall inflation has eased back to its lowest level since March last year but remained higher than expected. It fell to 8.7 per cent in April, down from 10.1 per cent in March.
Flynn warned Sunak that companies were making money from the rising costs.
The MP for Aberdeen South said: “We learnt today that the price of milk, cheese and eggs are up 29%, the price of pasta up 27%, the price of a loaf of bread 18%. Does the Prime Minster agree that this is no longer just a cost of living crisis, this is a cost of greed crisis?
Sunak replied: “It was welcome that inflation has fallen today but as the Chancellor said we should not be complacent because there is more work to do.
“(He) is right to highlight the impact of food inflation which is too high – common here and levels that we’ve seen in other European countries like Sweden and Germany.
“We are providing significant support to help people with the cost of living and the Chancellor has met with companies in the supermarket and food supply chain to make sure that they are doing everything they can to bring prices down.”
Flynn then challenged Sunak to act to reduce food inflation.
He said: “Let’s get real because food inflation remains at (a) near 45-year high. Now yesterday the Treasury indicated that the Chancellor stands ready to act but his actions seem to be predicated on the outcome of a review by the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority).
“So can the Prime Minister perhaps enlighten us, when does he expect that review to conclude because working families can’t afford to wait much longer?”
Sunak replied: “(He) will know that the CMA is independent of Government but the Chancellor did meet with them recently to discuss the situation in the grocery industry and it will be for the CMA to make decisions on that.
“But we’re doing everything we can to help consumers manage the challenges of the cost of living, but if the SNP wanted to do their bit, maybe they could reconsider their deposit return scheme, which, it’s very clear what people have said….it will reduce choice and increase prices for consumers.”
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