Food prices to rise by £220 in 2020 over no-deal Brexit

Researchers at the University of Sussex have suggested the cost of a family food shop will rise by £220 a year if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Researchers said that food will increase by 7% next year in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Trussell Trust the food bank charity said there needs to be a “dedicated hardship fund” to help those who will be affected by the rise in food prices.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Boris Johnson of “gambling with people’s lives” by threatening a no-deal Brexit.

Corbyn added, “After nine years of austerity holding down people’s pay, with food bank use at an all-time high and with millions of people living in poverty in one of the richest countries in the world, a hike in food prices will be unaffordable for many families.

“Instead of handing out tax cuts to the richest and staking all our futures on a trade deal with Donald Trump that risks the takeover of our NHS by US corporations, the prime minister should rule out no-deal and concentrate on improving the lives of people struggling to get by.”

Garry Lemon, the Trussell Trust’s director of policy said, “Any form of Brexit risks increasing the cost of food and essentials, and therefore increasing need for food banks.

“We’re giving Brexit guidance to food banks, but there’s a limit to how much we can prepare for and mitigate its consequences.

“The responsibility to prevent more people being pulled into poverty lies with our government.

“We cannot rely on support driven by volunteers and food donations to pick up the pieces, particularly in the event of no-deal.

“To anchor people from poverty as Brexit unfolds, our government must ensure additional protections such as a dedicated hardship fund are in place throughout, alongside an end the five-week wait for Universal Credit payment.”

HS2 line cannot be delivered within £56bn budget & could rise by £30bn

The chairman of the High Speed 2 rail project has reportedly warned that its cost could rise by £30bn.

HS2 chairman Allan Cook has written to the Department for Transport to say the high-speed line cannot be delivered within its £56bn budget, according to the Financial Times.

The DfT said a review of HS2’s costs is continuing.

The line will connect London, the Midlands and northern England using trains capable of travelling at 250mph.

“The chairman of HS2 Ltd is conducting detailed work into of the costs and schedule of the project to ensure it delivers benefits to passengers, the economy and represents value for money for the taxpayer,” the DfT said in a statement.

“This work is ongoing. We expect Allan Cook to provide his final assessment in due course.”

The first segment of the project between London and Birmingham is due to open at the end of 2026, with the second phase to Leeds and Manchester expected to be completed by 2032-33.

An HS2 spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on leaks or speculation.

“We have previously noted that our chair, as you would expect, continues to scrutinise the programme, and regularly reports back to the Department [for Transport].

“We are determined to deliver a railway that rebalances the economy, creates jobs, boosts economic growth and is value for money for taxpayers.”

Mr Cook was appointed to head HS2 in December 2018 after his predecessor, Sir Terry Morgan, resigned as chairman because of delays at the Crossrail project in London which he was also leading.