Written question asked by Emily Thornberry (Labour) on Monday, 25 October 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 October 2021. It was answered by Paul Scully (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 November 2021 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Toilet Paper: Shortages

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of potential retail shortages of household tissue and toilet paper over winter 2021-22; and what discussions he has had with suppliers and retailers on those potential shortages.

Answer: The Government recognises that as the global economy has rebounded from the pandemic, we have seen pressures placed on supply chains across sectors. We have taken quick and decisive action to ease these pressures where required including establishing a Supply Chain Advisory Group and Industry Taskforce, which provides a link between business and government to identify causes of supply chain issues and pre-empt future issues. Industry attendees are drawn from a range of sectors including the British Retail Consortium. Additionally, the Department engages at both Ministerial and official level on a range of issues affecting the retail sector including the availability of goods.

Secondary information