Asda’s reputation for keeping costs low, as well as prices, was highlighted in the oddest of circumstances in Parliament last week.

Asda price

The grocer was mentioned during the quizzing of James Murdoch about phone hacking allegations. Philip Davies, the Tory MP for Shipley, formerly worked for the grocer. He said he was astonished at the “cavalier” attitude to money displayed by Murdoch over settlements with celebrities. Not the sort of mentality that you’d find at Asda, Davies made clear. Andy Clarke would no doubt agree.