In reducing the cost of living for 22 million people in the United Kingdom, the Government has failed to persuade the European Union to scrap its import taxes on food produced outside the EU.

Since 2009, the consequence of this has been that the average family has paid £2,800 extra for their shopping basket due to all the import taxes that contribute to food prices in the shops. There has been no mention of this scandal by pro-European campaigners, who we see pressing their argument of 'doom and gloom' in leaving the European Union.

The interest of the family and the individual is for cheaper food. Retail prices are a permanent obstacle to aspiration and socio-economic mobility. The reliance on food-banks and charitable handouts would be reduced by cheaper food, being imported into the United Kingdom free from EU taxes and EU controls.

The working family does not choose to pay these taxes; they are legally obliged to, so as long as the UK stays in the EU. If we stayed in the European Union, from 2016 to 2026 we would be paying £4,000 more in food prices due to EU food taxes.

The European Union is responsible for the inflation that we have seen over the last few years. The pensioner who struggles on a pittance would be helped by us leaving the EU. We could purchase cheaper food from overseas.

The import tariffs on clothing and shoes have also increased the economic burden of the EU upon the struggling family, who pay higher prices because of EU taxes on imports.

Oliver Healey

Leicester