Price controls on essential food items: draft legislative provisions

Closes 24 Nov 2026

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Chapter 7: Compliance and enforcement

This chapter discusses compliance, and potential penalties that could apply in the event of non-compliance.

It is proposed that local authorities would be responsible for enforcement and they would appoint authorised officers to undertake day-to-day enforcement. The principal enforcement tool would be a compliance notice, issued by authorised officers where they have reasonable grounds to believe that the qualifying business is failing or has failed to comply with the price cap duty. Failure to comply with a compliance notice would be an offence and a fine may be imposed.

33. Do you believe local authorities are best placed to deal with the issue of compliance and enforcement for any price cap scheme?
34. Do you believe the approach to offences outlined in the consultation is the correct one?
35. Do you believe a fine imposed by the courts is the most appropriate penalty for the offence of failure to comply with a compliance notice?
36. What information, if any, should qualifying businesses be required to provide or retain to demonstrate compliance with a food price cap scheme?
37. What are likely to be the burdens, costs or practical implications of ensuring compliance with a food price cap scheme for: Qualifying businesses; Local authorities?
38. What other issues should be taken into account when considering the question of compliance and enforcement of sales taking place online?