The UK government temporarily relaxed elements of competition law as part of a package of measures to allow supermarkets to work together to feed the country.
The move gives retailers the ability to share data with each other on stock levels, cooperate to keep shops open, or share distribution depots and delivery vans. It also allows retailers to pool staff with one another to help meet demand.
“We’ve listened to the powerful arguments of our leading supermarkets and will do whatever it takes to help them feed the nation,” said Environment Secretary George Eustice, who worked with chief executives from the UK’s leading supermarkets. “By relaxing elements of competition laws temporarily, our retailers can work together on their contingency plans and share the resources they need with each other during these unprecedented circumstances. We welcome the measures supermarkets are already taking to keep shelves stocked and supply chains resilient, and will continue to support them with their response to coronavirus.”
The government has also temporarily relaxed rules around drivers’ hours, so retailers are able to deliver more food to stores, and is waiving the 5p plastic bag charge for online purchases to speed up deliveries.
The support for supermarkets comes as the government and retailers continue to urge people to shop considerately and look out for their friends, family and neighbours.
In these extraordinary and challenging times it is important that we remove barriers to our supermarkets working together to serve customers, particularly those who are elderly, ill or vulnerable in all parts of the UK,” Business Secretary Alok Sharma said. “The temporary relaxation of competition law for the food sector will allow supermarkets to cooperate with each other to keep their shops staffed, their shelves stocked, and the nation fed. I am clear that we will continue to do whatever it takes to support business through this extremely difficult period.”
The announcement comes as the government confirmed it would temporarily relax drivers’ hours rules to allow supermarket delivery drivers to meet the increased demand for home deliveries.
The change to GB drivers’ hours rules, which went into effect Friday, mean delivery drivers are able to work slightly longer hours – helping supermarkets offer additional delivery slots, which is particularly important for vulnerable people and those staying at home during the COVID-19 outbreak. It will also provide extra capacity if drivers are unwell.
The move comes after the Government temporarily relaxed the EU drivers’ hours rules for store deliveries, helping move food and other essentials more quickly so that shelves can be stocked-up.
‘We know supermarkets have seen unprecedented demand in light of COVID-19,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said. “We’re relaxing the GB drivers’ hours rules so that supermarkets can complete more home deliveries – which is especially important for vulnerable people at this time. But driver welfare is of course key and we will be working closely with employers to make sure the safety of their drivers and other people on the road is protected.”
The Environment Secretary also confirmed the government will temporarily relax the single-use carrier bag charge for online deliveries in England, to speed up deliveries and minimise any cross-contamination from reusing crates. This went into force on Saturday. The charge remains in-place for in-store purchases.
This follows a series of measures the government has introduced to support the food industry’s response to coronavirus, including working with local authorities to extend the hours that deliveries can be made to supermarkets to ensure stores are replenished quickly and extending drivers’ hours to speed up deliveries.
