See? They DO have our best interests at heart!

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https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/call-for-input-on-goods-for-cost-of-living-tariff-suspensions

Open consultation
Call for input on goods for cost of living tariff suspensions

From:
Department for Business and Trade
Published
27 May 2026

Summary

We are seeking views on the tariff suspensions of agricultural goods, fertilisers, and kerosene to help mitigate the consumer impact of the conflict in the Middle East.

This consultation closes at
11:59pm on 24 June 2026

Consultation description

The conflict in the Middle East has put significant upward pressure on prices for consumers. In response to this, the government is exploring whether the temporary suspension of import tariffs could lead to benefits for households and families. View our first cost of living tariff suspensions package, announced in April 2026.

We are continuing to consider every avenue we can take to support British households during this ongoing crisis, including a potential second package of tariff suspensions to include foodstuffs, fertilisers, and kerosene.

However, we recognise temporary tariff reductions on these goods may have unforeseen effects on domestic business and other UK stakeholders. We are therefore seeking stakeholder views through this call for input on the goods considered within this second cost of living tariff suspensions package.

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Browsing the current list they seem most concerned about our access to fruit juices & citrus fruit, tuna, cous cous and pasta: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6978b9701c24881f40a4d68d/autonomous-tariff-quotas.odt (link downloads odt file). Are they worried about an outbreak of scurvy?

The proposed additions expand the list of fruit & veg, plus chocolate, some confectionary items, bread, pizza, etc. Plus kerosene (excluding jet fuel) and a bunch of fertilisers: https://www.gov.uk/csv-preview/6a1712be050971fbebf3bb44/annex-a-goods-for-potential-tariff-suspensions-to-help-mitigate-inflation-caused-by-the-conflict-in-the-middle-east.csv

Not interested in using the leverage they have to try and stop the conflict, I see, but I suppose you can't have everything...

jeers,
I