Accusations of supermarket profiteering have been undermined by a new report claiming the UK’s grocery retailers are cheaper than European rivals.

A study by consumer body Which? found that a basket of 15 branded items was significantly cheaper in Tesco than in overseas supermarkets in comparable economies. The basket cost £552 over the course of the year in the UK, compared to £684 in Germany, £690 in France and £786 in Italy.

“Shoppers have been feeling the pinch of rising food prices, but we found the UK fares relatively well,” Which? reported.

However, the basket contained mostly household goods rather than food and drink as Which? needed products that were available in all markets tested, the Daily Telegraph said.