Healey’s profiteering warning on food and fuel risks row with retailers

Chancellor says the government wants to prevent shoppers being ‘taken for a ride’ at the pump or till The chancellor, John Healey , has said the government is standing by to prevent the public from “being taken for a ride at the pump or the till” as the Iran war continues to hit prices. While he said there had been “no significant evidence of so-called price gouging” during the crisis, he used a weekend column to tell the big retailers that ministers were “watching closely” for any signs of profiteering. Healey faces a difficult economic balancing act as the energy price shock caused by the months-long conflict in the Middle East reignites the cost of living crisis. Conflict and uncertainty increases inflation, threatens growth and pushes up costs for businesses and governments alike.” The comments about profiteering threaten a new war of words between the government and retailers.

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