Price controls on essential food items: draft legislative provisions

Closes 24 Nov 2026

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Chapter 1: Aims and intentions

This chapter sets out more detail about our aims and intentions. 

The objective that we are seeking to achieve through this work is to improve the affordability of a selection of essential food items, particularly for those on lower incomes. Our approach should also support a healthy and balanced diet.

1. Do you agree or disagree that improving the affordability of essential food items, particularly for low-income households, should be a policy priority for the Scottish Government?
2. Do you agree or disagree that government intervention is required to improve the affordability of essential food items?
3. Do you agree or disagree with the proposal to introduce price caps on selected essential food items?
4. Please explain your answers to Questions 1 to 3, including any alternative approaches or steps that should be taken to improve food affordability.
5. What do you consider to be the main benefits of food price caps? Please provide evidence where possible.
6. What do you consider to be the main risks or unintended consequences of food price caps? Please provide evidence where possible.