‘Patronising’ minister tells families to switch to value supermarket brands to ease cost of living
George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, sparks uproar at ‘insulting’ advice for people struggling with spiralling pricesByNick Gutteridge4 May 2022 • 12:21pm
George Eustice said switching to value brand products would help families to 'contain and manage household budgets' CREDIT: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg
A Cabinet minister has sparked uproar by telling Britons struggling with spiralling prices to switch to value brand products.
George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, said families could save cash by ditching their favourite labels in favour of cheaper alternatives.
Boris Johnson immediately distanced himself from the remarks, which were branded “patronising” and “out of touch” by opposition parties.
Voters are heading to the polls on Thursday for crunch local elections, which have been dominated by the cost of living crisis.
Mr Eustice admitted the financial help offered by the Government so far will not be enough to “completely mitigate” soaring food and fuel prices.
He added fresh produce, such as chicken, will become more expensive, because farmers are already working “on wafer-thin margins”.
Asked for his advice to struggling families, he replied: “Generally speaking, what people find is by going for some of the value brands, rather than own-branded products, they can actually contain and manage their household budget.
"But it will undoubtedly put a pressure on household budgets and, of course, it comes on top of those high gas prices as well.”
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