Coronavirus: Redbridge Council investigates shops following price hiking
Council enforcement officers being briefed by council leader Jas Athwal. Picture: @Jas_Athwal - Credit: Archant
Redbridge Council enforcement officers have visited more than 300 business to tackle reports of price hiking.
Shoppers, particularly in Ilford, claimed staples like toilet roll and flour quadrupled in price in some shops amid pandemic-induced panic-buying.
Council leader Cllr Jas Athwal called for “swift action” from the government, while Ilford North Labour MP Wes Streeting threatened to “name and shame” price-hiking shops.
On Sunday, March 22, Cllr Athwal tweeted: “Following reports of some unscrupulous local shops hiking up prices we’re sending out council enforcement officers to investigate.
“We will not tolerate profiteering.”
You may also want to watch:
He later added: “Over the past 24 hours our council enforcement officers visited 333 businesses.
“The vast majority of local businesses are doing their part, following Government instructions & supporting our community – the rest will be visited & stopped.”
Most Read
- 1 Developments approved in Redbridge so far in 2021
- 2 Redbridge clean-up underway after flash floods close A&E and damage homes
- 3 Ilford charity opens B&M store in Newbury Park
- 4 Backlash as Fairlop Waters meadow turned into overflow parking
- 5 Ilford MP Wes Streeting is cancer-free after successful operation
- 6 Flooding causes road and rail disruption across east London
- 7 Update: Missing girl, 12, found 'safe and well'
- 8 Ceiling panels collapse and operations cancelled at hospital after flooding
- 9 Tributes paid to Seven Kings activist who 'always fought injustice'
- 10 Women use experiences to offer safety insights about Redbridge
Residents reported seeing items like hand sanitiser on sale for as much as £19.99.
You can report price-hiking directly to the council leader by emailing Jas.Athwal@redbridge.gov.uk.
