North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes is asking local residents to contact her with examples of confusing unit pricing they have come across while shopping. It is part of a move to support Jo Swinson MP’s Price Marking Consumer Information Bill which is making its way through the UK Parliament. The Bill has the support of the consumer organisation Which?

Ms Swinson explained: “The unit price is the price per kg, litre, 100g etc of a product and is provided to help shoppers compare prices between like-for-like products of different sizes where a direct comparison may not be straightforward e.g. a 600g jar of mayonnaise for £3.49 compared to a 400g jar for £2.50.

“The Bill will make it easier to work out which product is the cheapest. It calls for supermarkets to make sure:

the unit price is prominent and easy to read

that they use consistent units across the board

and the unit price is shown for items when they are bought as part of a promotion.

Mrs McInnes said “We are building a case against silly pricing and daft deals. Any constituents who come across examples of this can write to me at my constituency office at Ellon Business Park Centre, Broomiesburn Road, Ellon, AB41 9RD or email me at alison.mcinnes.msp@scottishparliament.uk

“They can also show support by signing the pledge at which.co.uk/unitpricing. Tweet any bad exampled of unit pricing to @whichaction using the hashtag #priceitright”

I’m backing Alison and Jo on this issue – please get in touch with Alison as above.