"Shocking but unsurprising" says MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western in response to official figures of food inflation revealed by the ONS.

The data from the ONS (Office for National Statistics) revealed that the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks grew at an annual rate of 5.1 percent.

In response, Mr Western is now calling for the Government to appoint a Consumer Champion to tackle issues like this head-on and "be the voice for consumers in the Government."

He said: "These issues cannot be ignored and the consumer is left to suffer."

Since 2021, Mr Western has been conducting an annual price comparison exercise. 

He purchases a consistent basket of goods from various stores, including the Tesco Express on the Parade in Leamington, the Tesco Superstore on Emscote Road in Warwick, and, this year, Sainsbury's as well.

Mr Western noted that over the years, the Express store has persistently had the more expensive basket compared to the two Tesco locations. 

In 2025, the identical basket was priced at £33.04 with a Clubcard and £36.14 without it at the Superstore, while it cost £39.11 without a Clubcard at the Express store. 

This makes it 18 percent more expensive or eight percent more costly if a Clubcard isn't used at the Superstore.

The cost of the same basket at the Express store in 2021 was £28.15, which has now increased to £38.26, reflecting a 36 percent rise. 

"That is how serious the inflation was under Truss and Sunak," Mr Western remarked.

Addressing the discrepancy between town center and out-of-town stores, Western acknowledged: "Some may say that is fine, but if you're only able to shop at the Express store, it is certainly not fine. 

"You're routinely charged more for items because you may not have a car or the means to reach the out-of-town superstore."

He previously questioned supermarkets directly about why they can't standardise pricing between convenience stores and superstores, and was informed that different operating costs account for this variation. 

"I get that, but I don't believe that Tesco has a profit problem," he said.

"This is something that Tesco and fellow superstores should incorporate into their business model, not placing the burden on customers, especially those with no other choice, to make up the difference."

Mr Western concluded this was all addressed in his recent Parliamentary speech on consumer prices, which can be viewed here.