The Government has announced it is removing import tariffs on more than 100 products, including chocolate, baked beans and gherkins, in a move expected to save households up to £21 a year on their food shop when combined with earlier tariff cuts.
On Monday, the Government said that together with tariff suspensions already introduced, households could save up to £21 on their food shopping each year. That works out at approximately 40p a week for a household.
Everyday fixes ahead of the Budget
The announcements form part of what ministers have described as a series of “everyday fixes” aimed at helping working families, motorists and unpaid carers manage rising costs. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “We are taking on the big challenges facing the country. But that doesn’t mean losing sight of the everyday problems that cost people money or simply aren’t fair.”
“If you’re a nurse driving for work, a parent spending those precious first weeks with your new baby, or an unpaid carer picking up an extra shift, these changes will make life a little easier and put more money back in your pocket,” he added.
“And at Wednesday’s Budget, we’ll go further to give families and businesses the breathing space they need today, while we build a stronger economy, transform our country and bring down cost for people long-term.”
Chancellor on global pressures
Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey also said: “Today’s everyday fixes are just a small part of what we are doing to give families a bit of breathing space. Conflict in the Middle East and Europe is hitting families here at home through higher everyday costs. We can’t control global events, but we can act where we can make a difference.”
Monday’s announcements included a series of measures designed to ease everyday costs for families and workers ahead of Wednesday’s Budget. These included making higher tax-free mileage rates permanent and increasing support for nurses, care workers, self-employed builders and others who use their own vehicles for work. The Chancellor is locking in the 55p per mile rate for the first 10,000 business miles and increasing the rate above 10,000 miles from 25p to 35p per mile.
Carer support and Post Office rollout
The Government also pledged to end the Carer’s Allowance cliff edge, which can leave unpaid carers losing their entire allowance if they earn just £1 over the permitted limit. Under the proposed changes, support will instead be gradually withdrawn as earnings increase.
Ministers also announced plans to remove import tariffs on more than 100 products, including food items such as garlic, gherkins and chocolate-coated wafers. Meanwhile, hundreds more Post Office parcel drop boxes are set to be rolled out, bringing the total to 1,000 by the end of the financial year and making it easier for customers to send and return parcels without queuing at a counter, the Government said.
Products with expected tariff cuts
Ten products which are expected to see their tariffs cut include garlic (8% + £100 per 100 kg), gherkins (12%), citrus jams, marmalades and pastes (20% + £19 per 100 kg), throat pastilles and cough drops (8%), boiled sweets, filled or unfilled (8%), toffees, caramels and similar sweets (8%), plant-based beverages (soya, nut, cereal or seed) (8%), chocolate-coated waffles/wafers (8%), kerosene (4%) and fertilisers (between 2-6.5%).
