The government’s Yellowhammer document reveals that those on low income will bear the brunt of the problems from a no-deal Brexit.
Ministers expect food prices to soar if the UK crashes out of the European Union without a trade deal as we are on course to do on October 31.
Fresh food supply is expected to be impacted with key ingredients, chemicals and packaging also predicted to be at a shortage. The combination of the two will push up prices and it will be most keenly felt by the poor – who the government admits “will be disproportionately affected by any prices in food and fuel”.
“Low income groups will be disproportionately affected by any price rises in food and fuel.”
It’s clear from the Operation Yellowhammer document released tonight that a no-deal Brexit risks tightening the grip of poverty on people’s lives. That simply cannot be right. pic.twitter.com/PtSZFpRan2
— Poverty Alliance (@PovertyAlliance) September 11, 2019
Human Rights Watch’s Western Europe researcher Kartik Raj, who has extensively researched the rise of food poverty in England and campaigned for a right to food in the UK, said in reaction to the base scenario report: “The government can no longer deny that its actions will affect the poorest and most vulnerable citizens and residents of the UK hardest. Their day to day standard of living will be hit by no-deal Brexit
“The no-deal Brexit Yellowhammer picture is stark generally. It is particularly stark for the most economically vulnerable.