Competition watchdog launches probe into supermarkets over record food and fuel prices

Big chains not ‘sufficiently forthcoming’ with inquiry into stubbornly high petrol and diesel prices

A shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket. (PA Wire)

Supermarkets are facing a new investigation into record-high prices for food and drink, after Britain’s regulator accused them of stalling its existing probe into the cost of fuel.

Groceries have risen at their fastest rate in over 45 years, increasing year-on-year to 19.2 per cent in March – up from 18.2 per cent in February.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had no evidence of specific concerns “at this stage” but that it was “important to be sure that weak competition is not adding to the problems.”