A south Essex poverty campaigner has slammed an MP for suggesting those less fortunate should just buy cheaper food.

Jack Monroe has hit out after George Eustice MP spoke out about the cost of living crisis.

Environment Secretary George Eustice has been rounded on by political rivals and social commentators after saying that shoppers could “contain and manage their household budget” by changing the brands they buy in supermarkets and elsewhere.

Food campaigner Jack Monroe said ministers were in “no position” to hand out monetary advice.

She tweeted: " A man who claims around two hundred grand in personal expenses is in absolutely no position to lecture anyone about the price of biscuits.

"Those with the least are the sharpest economists; we know exactly what everything costs, both in price and value, and have to constantly dynamically reevaluate those shifting parameters on a minute by minute basis. Often in the supermarket checkout queue with seconds to spare"

Ms Monroe, asked on LBC’s Tonight With Andrew Marr programme about what she thought when she first heard Mr Eustice’s remarks, said: “Exasperated to be honest, because on the one hand I charitably want to think it’s well meant.

“And on the other hand, I think somebody who claims £196,000 in expenses in a single year is in no position to tell other people to get cheaper biscuits.”

Supermarkets separate their products into different categories, from the most expensive premium level through to progressively cheaper branded products, own brand and value lines.