John Swinney Defends Supermarket Price Cap Plan Amid Claims SNP Is Fueling Clash With Westminster

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has rejected accusations that the SNP’s proposed food price cap policy is designed to provoke a political confrontation with the UK government, insisting the plan is aimed at helping families struggling through the cost of living crisis.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme ahead of his expected re-election as first minister, Swinney defended the Scottish National Party’s proposal to legally limit the prices of essential supermarket goods, arguing that many households can no longer afford basic groceries.

Under the SNP manifesto pledge, major supermarkets in Scotland would be required to cap the prices of up to 50 essential food items, including staples such as milk, eggs, rice, and cheese. The party says the measure is intended to ease financial pressure on consumers while improving access to nutritious food.

Swinney said the proposal reflected what he described as a “public health responsibility” to ensure people could afford healthy diets during a period of continued economic hardship.

“People are struggling to afford a very basic shop,” he said, adding that the government had a duty to respond to rising living costs affecting households across Scotland.

The plan forms part of a broader SNP agenda that also includes a £2 cap on bus fares and expanded childcare support, policies aimed at addressing affordability and social welfare concerns.

However, the proposed supermarket legislation has already drawn criticism from parts of the retail industry. The Scottish Retail Consortium described the policy as a “gimmick,” warning it could create unintended consequences for smaller independent shops that would not be covered by the price restrictions.

SRC spokesperson Ewan MacDonald-Russell argued the policy could leave local retailers unable to compete with larger supermarket chains operating under government-backed price controls. Critics have also questioned how the proposal would work in practice and whether it could disrupt supply chains or reduce product availability.

Swinney acknowledged that discussions with retailers, producers, and suppliers would be essential before implementing the policy, saying “engagement” with the industry would be crucial to making the legislation workable.

The proposal could also trigger constitutional and legal challenges. Analysts believe the policy may require amendments to the UK Internal Market Act introduced after Brexit, legislation designed to prevent trade barriers and regulatory differences between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Because the SNP failed to secure an outright majority in Holyrood, Swinney admitted he would need support from opposition parties as well as cooperation from Westminster to move the proposal forward.

Asked whether the SNP was intentionally seeking conflict with the UK government to strengthen the argument for Scottish independence, Swinney denied the accusation and insisted his focus was on helping struggling households rather than creating political division.

“What I’m doing is trying to help people who are struggling with the cost of their shopping,” he said.

“There are procedures I have got to go through to make that happen. I enter these discussions from a spirit of wanting to find a solution that will work for people who are struggling to afford their shopping in Scotland today.”

The debate is expected to intensify in the coming months as the SNP attempts to balance its social policy agenda with economic concerns and constitutional tensions between Edinburgh and Westminster.