This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51769184

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Supermarkets reject minister's food supply claim Coronavirus: Supermarkets cast doubt on minister's food supply claim
(about 2 hours later)
UK supermarkets have rejected claims from Health Secretary Matt Hancock that they have had discussions with the government about getting food to people who have been forced to self-isolate. Supermarkets have cast doubts on an assurance from the health secretary that food supplies would not be disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak.
He told BBC Question Time on Thursday: "We are working with the supermarkets." On Thursday, Matt Hancock said: "We are working with the supermarkets to make sure that, if people are self-isolating, then we will be able to get the food and supplies that they need."
But supermarket sources said that while they have had general talks about security of food supplies, they have not discussed getting food to homes. But supermarket sources said they had not discussed getting food to homes.
One executive said he was "baffled" by the suggestions.One executive said he was "baffled" by the suggestions.
The Prime Minister's spokesman said officials at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) had been regularly meeting with representatives of the industry bodies, who in turn represent the country's leading supermarkets. An executive told BBC business editor Simon Jack: "Matt Hancock has totally made up what he said about working with supermarkets. We haven't heard anything from government directly."
On Thursday, Mr Hancock told Question Time: "Crucially, we are working with the supermarkets to make sure that, if people are self-isolating, then we will be able to get the food and supplies that they need." He added that sales of cupboard basics such as pasta and tinned goods have "gone through the roof".
But one executive told the BBC: "Matt Hancock has totally made up what he said about working with supermarkets. We haven't heard anything from government directly." While the supermarket was largely keeping up with demand, teams were working "round the clock" to keep shelves stocked, he said.
He added that sales of cupboard basics like pasta and tinned goods have "gone through the roof". "We are using processes and staffing levels we set up in case of a no-deal Brexit."
While the supermarket was largely keeping up with demand, teams are working "round the clock" to keep shelves stocked. The executive added: "While I think people don't need to panic buy and should just shop normally, I'm not sure the government can guarantee all food supply in all instances."
"We are using processes and staffing levels we set up in case of a no-deal Brexit." The executive added: "While I think people don't need to panic buy and should just shop normally, I'm not sure the government can guarantee all food supply in all instances." There was no suggestion that there were food shortages, but people bringing forward some purchases was creating logistical challenges, he said.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus? Mr Hancock, who was answering a question from a member of the BBC Question Time audience, also said the government was "confident" food supplies would not run out and there was "absolutely no need" to panic-buy.
There is no suggestion that there are food shortages, but people bringing forward some purchases was creating logistical challenges, he said. But a source at another supermarket said while it had had some overarching discussion with government departments about overall readiness, it had not a conversation about ensuring uninterrupted food supplies.
Mr Hancock said on Thursday the government was "confident" food supplies and there was "absolutely no need" to panic-buy.
'Tolerable limits'
A source at another supermarket said that while it had some overarching discussion with Defra and the department for business about overall readiness, it had not a conversation about ensuring uninterrupted food supplies.
When asked specifically about Mr Hancock's comments, the supermarket said it did not recognise them.When asked specifically about Mr Hancock's comments, the supermarket said it did not recognise them.
A question that supermarkets are asking themselves internally is whether they could ramp up their online delivery to meet the demands of large numbers of people self- isolating. A source at a rival supermarket also raised concerns over whether online deliveries could meet the demands of large numbers of people in self-isolation, with online delivery usually making up only 6-7% of the overall market.
The answer to that was no. Online delivery is only 6-7% of the overall market. "We can't switch a whole load of new vans on overnight." "We can't switch a whole load of new vans on overnight," the source said.
While one supermarket said it was working round the clock, another said there was healthy demand but they were operating "very much within tolerable limits". Downing Street said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had regular meetings with the food industry to discuss risks to the supply chain, with a working group due to meet on Friday.
"Defra will continue to work on this issue. We have resilient supply chains," a No 10 spokesman said.
The British Retail Consortium, which represents supermarkets, said there had been only limited disruption to supply chains so far and availability of products on shelves remained good.
For self-isolating customers, it said, most retailers would be more than happy to deliver online orders to doorsteps.
There have been 163 cases of the virus in the UK and a woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions has died.
She was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and died after testing positive for the virus.