British consumers are not getting such a bad deal in the shops, according to a government-backed survey.

A Department of Trade and Industry report, says people in the UK are paying no more for basic food items than those in most other countries.

But it admits people are paying much more for things like CDs, videos, batteries, and computer games.

Supermarkets immediately called for the government to abandon the Competition Commission inquiry into supermarket prices.

"We believe it is RIP to rip-off Britain," a spokesman for Sainsburys said.

Survey results

The survey carried out by market researchers AC Nielsen was commissioned by the government after complaints of a "rip-off" Britain.

It found that UK consumers paid more than shoppers in the US, France and Germany for eight out of 56 items that were analysed.

A Sega Dreamcast game, the top 10 CDs, a two-litre bottle of Coca-Cola, a tin of dog food, lager, shampoo, ground coffee and toilet tissue were all more expensive in the UK than elsewhere.

Play station games, Duracell batteries, the top 10 paperback books, the top five videos and DVDs also cost more in the UK than in the US.

Yoghurt, soap and Lindt chocolate were cheaper in France and Germany than in Britain.

UK consumers paid less for Kellogg's cornflakes, a packet of choc chip cookies and a long-sleeved man's shirt.

Pampers nappies, wrapped white-sliced bread and cleaning liquid were cheaper in the UK than the US, while carrots and washing-up liquid cost less in Britain than in France and Germany.

High street price wars

Reacting to the results of the survey, Tesco marketing director Tim Mason said: "This survey recognises we are a force for price cutting."

An Asda spokesman also welcomed the findings.

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Stephen Byers said: "The last year has seen the spotlight turned on prices being charged in shops.

"Pressure from consumers, the media and government led to prices falling, for example, shoppers have benefited from £500m of savings from high street price wars.

'Convenient soundbite"

"These reductions are reflected in today's survey which shows that when goods are compared like for like in the majority of cases, the UK consumer is not paying more than in other countries."

But shadow trade and industry secretary Angela Browning said: "My concern has been and remains that Labour ministers have leapt on the 'rip-off Britain' bandwagon because it is a convenient soundbite.

"It now seems that they have made a grave miscalculation and in so doing undermined confidence amongst consumers in British goods and services.

"The common-sense approach would be to pursue the kind of policies that a Conservative government would - to promote fairness and competition and to give a good deal to British consumers without damaging business."