Speeches by Western.

“You may have heard earlier that I have done some analysis over the last three years looking at certain supermarkets and how they price. Hayley, you said that the CMA has done a grocery inquiry. In that inquiry, did you discover that supermarkets label products of a similar category differently? Did you come across that…”

“It is the sense of missing out, is it not? That is why airlines do it.”

“There is a running joke among consumers that you go on to a site and it says that there are two left against that particular seat. It is always two left. What is that about?”

“They would not?”

“I was asking about purchase history, browsing history and personal data. Other carriers would use that, would they not?”

“Can you give me some examples?”

“Robert Griggs, you are representing the industry. How does it work across the industry? Is it exactly the same, or are there variations?”

“How do you use algorithms, AI or whatever to price the flights? Do you use information about consumers who are on the interface looking to book a ticket? Do you take history from that consumer, which may impact on the price they pay?”

“Sophie Dekkers, could you talk us through your approach to dynamic pricing at easyJet?”

“So it is not based on delivery costs?”

“Are there different prices in the north of Scotland compared with, say, the south-east?”

“Finally, why can you not align product prices between your out-of-town and in-town stores, recognising the cost of living crisis and its impact on those who can ill afford it?”

“Which? found that a whole load of basic product lines, are not offered in your Local stores, despite being offered in out-of-town stores. What are you doing about that? It disadvantages the people I have just mentioned.”

“You could do that yourselves. You do not need regulation.”

“You do not do anything about it.”

“What is so complicated about producing tickets that use the same base unit? It used to be that greengrocers would display the price per 100 grams, per kilogram or per pound. In your stores, however, one orange is priced per 100 grams and another is priced per kilogram. That does not aid consumer choice, does it?”

“Why do you not do that today?”

“For the last three years, I have been comparing the prices of a 17-item basket at the Tesco in Leamington town centre with those at an out-of-town Tesco store. We have just heard from the Chair about the significant price differences consumers face between those two types of store. I have not done it for Sainsbury’s, b…”

“There is a price difference on a packet of basic pasta”

“I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. I am the first to recognise, along with him, the need for pragmatism on this issue. He speaks of our closest allies. In Washington a couple of weeks ago, I heard about the Americans’ real concerns about the super-embassy in London. They are banning Chinese electric vehicl…”