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.
Hmmm, are the trying to pass off their inflation as a war phenomenon?Clio the cat, ?July 1997-1 May 2016 Kira the cat, ??2010-3 August 2018 Jasper the Ruffian cat ???-4 November 2021 Georgina the cat ?2006-4 December 2025 Toni the cat ?2005-25 March 2026
Re: Govt suspending import tariffs 'to help mitigate the consumer impact of the conflict in the ME'
Could be - though it's fairly well established on the fertilisers at least that the Hormuz blockade has choked supplies. Knock-on effects on food prices would be felt most come harvest time, as I understood it, so maybe this is in response to something else, or on the understanding that people are cutting back on food spending to the point where it's going to start causing serious health problems on a mass scale. Anyway, I expect there's going to be some intense lobbying behind the scenes to determine which items get relief and which don't. Not seeing any moves to make small scale horticulture any more viable yet, fwiw...
on June 12, 2026, 7:37 pm