Food price cap Bill will be passed this year, Swinney pledges

Legislation to cap the prices of essential food will be in place by the end of this year if the SNP wins the election, John Swinney has said.

One of the First Minister’s key pledges ahead of the May 7 vote is to put a ceiling on up to 50 food items using public health powers, to tackle the cost of living.

Critics – including the UK Government – have questioned the policy, which could face a potential legal threat from retailers.

Speaking at the STUC Congress in Dundee on Tuesday, the First Minister said he is “not afraid to take on vested interests”.

He said: “That’s why I will use public health powers to introduce a maximum price for essential food items.

“We will convene a gathering of supermarkets, public health experts, poverty campaigners and farmers within days of forming the next government, and the legislation for the price cap will be in place this year.”

Given the required level of consultation with the retail industry and a more than two-month parliamentary recess over the summer, aiming to pass the legislation in 2026 is ambitious – especially if the SNP fails to win the majority it is aiming for and is forced to work with other parties to implement the plans.

Most legislation also does not generally come into force immediately, with potential legal action pushing any implementation date further into the future.

Addressing trade unionists, the First Minister added: “There are some who have criticised this policy, but Congress, I will take forward fair food pricing because it is, quite simply, the right thing to do.

“I believe it will be transformational in these tough times.

“That is the sort of bold vision that you should rightly expect from your government.”