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Written question asked by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 April 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 April 2022. It was answered by Greg Hands (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 April 2022 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.


Energy and Food: Prices

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of market speculation on rising food and oil and gas prices.

Answer

Increases in international food commodity prices have been driven by a range of factors recently. The Government views the price changes to food have been caused primarily by market fundamentals rather than speculation on futures markets.

Fuel and gas prices are primarily driven by the underlying price in the global wholesale market of crude oil and natural gas. These are also influenced by exchange rates and a range of other supply and demand factors, including stock levels, logistics and distribution costs and seasonal demand variations.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
155579
Session
2021-22
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Energy Food Prices
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk