The Government has unveiled a list of 125 household staples, including baked beans, olive oil, and chewing gum, that could become cheaper under a new plan to slash tariffs. The initiative, aimed at easing the cost of living crisis, follows an announcement last week by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
What Items Are Included?
Other items earmarked for potential tariff removal include garlic, avocados, gherkins, aubergines, sweet peppers, olives, plantains, bananas, limes, citrus fruits, fresh figs, dried fruits, mixed nuts, green tea, quinoa, cocoa powder, chocolate, biscuits, pizzas, and baked beans. The full list also covers non-alcoholic beverages, plant-based drinks, tomato ketchup, jams, marmalades, and soups.
Consultation Process
The Treasury will now consult on the proposed changes, with a survey opening on Wednesday and running until June 24. It will also consider whether suspending tariffs on certain fertilisers could help farmers facing rising prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Chancellor's Statement
Ms Reeves said: “The war in Iran isn’t our war, but one we will need to respond to, and my priority is keeping prices down for households and businesses. That’s why we’re freezing fuel duty, increasing the mileage rate for the first time in 15 years and slashed VAT temporarily this summer to help reduce the cost of days out.”
Additional Measures
The package announced by Ms Reeves last week also includes the uprating of tax-free mileage for the first time since 2011. The rate will rise from 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles to 55p, backdated to April 2026. The Treasury estimates that three million workers, including one million self-employed people, will benefit.
Fuel duty will be frozen until the end of the year, postponing a 5p rise due to begin in September. Relief was also announced for red diesel, and a cut to VAT on children’s meals in restaurants and admission to days out was confirmed.
Full List of Products Affected
- Garlic
- Gherkins
- Aubergines
- Sweet peppers
- Other peppers (capsicum/pimenta)
- Olives (fresh/chilled)
- Olives (for oil production)
- Olives (frozen)
- Plantains (fresh and dried)
- Bananas (fresh and dried)
- Limes
- Citrus fruits (various)
- Avocados
- Fresh figs
- Dried figs
- Other fresh fruits
- Frozen fruits
- Dried apricots
- Dried apples
- Dried peaches/nectarines
- Dried pears
- Dried papaya
- Mixed dried fruit
- Mixed nuts
- Mixed fruit and nuts
- Green tea
- Buckwheat
- Fonio
- Quinoa
- Olive oil (extra virgin)
- Olive oil (virgin)
- Olive oil (other)
- Margarine
- Mixed fats and oils
- Vegetable oils
- Chewing gum
- Liquorice products
- White chocolate
- Marzipan and pastes
- Throat pastilles
- Sugar confectionery
- Boiled sweets
- Toffees and caramels
- Sugar tablets
- Cocoa paste
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate (bulk and retail)
- Chocolate bars
- Chocolate with fruit, nuts or cereal
- Chocolate spreads
- Chocolate drink preparations
- Couscous
- Crispbread
- Gingerbread
- Biscuits
- Waffles and wafers
- Rusks
- Toasted bread products
- Bread
- Pizzas and quiches
- Pickled peppers
- Prepared vegetables
- Crisps
- Processed potatoes
- Baked beans
- Preserved beans
- Preserved vegetables
- Preserved tropical fruit
- Candied fruit
- Jams and marmalades
- Preserved citrus fruits
- Mixed preserved fruit and nuts
- Tomato ketchup
- Tomato sauces
- Soups and broths
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Plant-based drinks
