Letter: Hunger crisis

As food prices soar for Scottish consumers, the poorest people will inevitably be hardest hit (your report, 13 July). In developing countries, rising food prices are also pushing tens of millions more people into hunger and poverty.

Expert opinion increasingly pinpoints excessive financial speculation on food commodities as a major driver of price volatility in basic staples, such as wheat and maize, and a contributing factor to high prices. Yet the UK government has so far failed to support European proposals for simple measures to regulate speculation - which would protect consumers here in Scotland and in the poorest countries.

Westminster must put the basic right of access to affordable food above the profits of a tiny elite in the City of London, and put its weight behind moves to curb financial gambling on food.

Liz Murray

World Development Movement

Rose Street

Edinburgh