Leeds milkman speaks out as prices set to soar amid rising costs for farmers

Phil Heaton, who runs Tingley-based P & CLP Heaton milkman, made the comments after it was announced that the cost of dairy products look set to soar by up to 50 per cent.

As reported in The Telegraph, leading figures in the dairy industry flew into Brussels last week for crisis talks, as it was said that the cost of four pints of milk will jump from around £1.15 to between £1.60 and £1.70 according to Kite Consulting, the UK’s leading adviser to dairy farmers.

However, Phil, who runs the business after his dad, also named Phillip, retired seven years ago, said he has not been able to buy milk from his supplier at the price of £1.15 for quite some time.

Phil, 47, from Tingley said: “It isn't just milk prices going up, it's everything.

“I can't even buy at that price myself to then sell on to my customer.

“If I look back at an invoice from this time last year, I’m paying 27 pence more for a two-litre and seven pence more for a pint of milk in a glass bottle.

“It's really tricky because I think I've had eight price increases over the last year. We're just trying to absorb as many as we can without passing on to the customer.“

Some of the factors driving up costs, Phil said, is the rising day-to-day costs facing farmers, with them paying higher prices for everything from fertiliser for the grass the cows eat to additional taxes on plastics and red diesel.

This alongside the undervaluing of milk by major supermarkets is putting a strain on local, independent milkmen.

Phil said: “We've been with Dales Diaries for 10 years and they've been brilliant, but the last 12 to 18 months it's just constant price increases.