THE MP for West Dorset has denied that he has 'advocated' for food shortages by suggesting the collapse of supermarkets could 'be a great opportunity'.

It was a reported by a national newspaper that West Dorset MP Chris Loder stated at a Conservative Party Conference event that it would be a good opportunity if supply chains were to collapse.

This prompted a response from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who denied that there is an 'upside to people struggling with supply chain challenges'.

He said: "I don't think anyone would say there's an upside to people struggling with supply chain challenges and not being able to get what they want at the time they want it. No-one wants to see that.

"What we've said more broadly is over time one of our desires is to transition ourselves to a higher wage, high skill economy, more productive economy."

Speaking to the Bridport News today, Mr Loder said that he had been misquoted.

He has sought to clarify his stance on the matter - stating that the breakdown of the supply chains could have long-term benefits through localising supply chains.

He said: "What I said is that the centralised supply chains which we have today through supermarkets and large national businesses have clearly broken and we should be taking advantage of that by re-establishing and localising independent and resilient supply chains.

"People have had different slants on that and have turned it into something it is not.

"Major supermarkets which make billions of pounds in profits every year should be paying HGV drivers a decent wage rather than rock bottom prices and farmers should be paid a decent price for their milk. Part of the reason they don't is that there is a huge supply chain from producer to consumer.

"Fundamentally, this is about challenging the supply chain power of enormous commercial predators which screw down farmers and HGV drivers, and making local supply chains which are more resilient and more advantageous for local people."

He added: "I have not advocated for food shortages. I don't believe there is a food shortage, nor a fuel shortage - just a supply shortage."