East Renfrewshire's MP has branded the UK's Environment Secretary "utterly patronising" after he suggested people who are struggling to cope with rising food prices should choose value brands when shopping at supermarkets.

Kirsten Oswald criticised the comments made by George Eustice, who said that "by going for some of the value brands, rather than own-branded products," shoppers can "contain and manage their household budget."

She claimed people who are finding it hard to make ends meet are being treated "with contempt" by the UK Government.

Ms Oswald, who is also the SNP's deputy leader at Westminster, said: "The remarks from a senior Tory government minister that families struggling with the Tory-made cost-of-living crisis should buy value brand products are utterly patronising and insulting.

"The Tories have once again shown how out of touch they are with the challenges facing households, with rising prices and bills piling on the pressure and pushing people over the brink."

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Eustice had said competition between supermarkets was good news for cash-strapped shoppers.

He added: "We have a very, very competitive retail market, with 10 big supermarkets and the four main ones competing very aggressively, particularly on some of the lower-cost, everyday value items for households, so things like spaghetti and ambient products, there's a lot of competition to keep those prices down."