Mike's Minute: Are politicians trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist?
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What do the latest food price statistics actually show?
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The irony, eh? The irony.
Which food categories are rising and which are falling in price?
In the same week we got all that hot air about supermarkets and cooperative bust ups, we got the food price index out of the stats department, and as much as you may like to deny it, argue about it, or ignore it, these are statistics. They're not reckons or supermarket aisle chatter or lazy streetside vox pops for the television news. Food went up annually one point nine percent, which if you remember the previous annual Number being one point nine per cent, which means it's flat. Month on month flat, annually up one point nine percent. In other words, it's not an issue. And certainly not the issue the complainers and the activists and the politicians are making it out to be. There is a very clear differentiation between what we like to pay or what we perceive to be acceptable and what is really going on.
Fruit and veggies went down as in
Why are politicians pushing policies on a non‑existent cost‑of‑living crisis?
Backwards, as in they're cheaper. The biggest increase which added to the overall figure was restaurant and takeaway meals, and easily avoided cost, if cost is your main food gripe. At the pricey end, meat, poultry and fish went up a bit over three percent. Rent, by the way, which was also included by the Stats Department, as in houses, were flat. Flat zero, went nowhere. In other words, no cost of living issue there either. Separate category, but never. Nevertheless, another reminder that not everything is up and up a lot, and therefore worth getting angsty about. If you really want to get wound up, guess what power prices did?
How does public perception differ from the real data on food costs?
They went down. The point of all of this is reality is not always what you think it is, or indeed would like it to be. The food story has become, of course, a soap opera, and that's why we get the nonsense from the politicians last week. Captured by the consultants who poll people and say things like, Like, do you think food is too expensive? Answer, yes. Are you paying too much? Answer, yes. Next step, meeting over the campaign.
Can changing perception actually solve the perceived food‑price problem?
Next step, we're breaking up the supermarkets. We're banning price gouging. And even though it's not real and most likely won't happen, more importantly, it won't actually solve anything because the facts show there's nothing to solve. What drove it was mood driven by perception, and you can really fixed perception, especially if you don't want it fixed. For more from the Mike Asking Breakfast, listen live to News Talks Ed B from 6 a.m. weekdays or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What do the latest food price statistics actually show?
0:01–0:31
2
Which food categories are rising and which are falling in price?
0:31–1:20
3
Why are politicians pushing policies on a non‑existent cost‑of‑living crisis?
1:20–1:54
4
How does public perception differ from the real data on food costs?
1:54–2:17
5
Can changing perception actually solve the perceived food‑price problem?
2:17–2:47
Speakers
1 identifiedMore from The Mike Hosking Breakfast
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