Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has undertaken an assessment of the expected impact on consumer food prices of the temporary suspension of tariffs on agricultural and food products announced on 30 April 2026.

The Chancellor appreciates that the weekly shop is one of the biggest worries for families and is taking action on the cost of living, by suspending tariffs on a range of agri-food products.

The Government announced a package of temporary tariff suspensions on 30 April with a detailed list published on 20 May. These suspensions will reduce import costs for these items. The benefit to consumers is estimated to be around £100m to £400m annually.

The Chancellor also announced a consultation on a further list of products on 21 May. Taking account of all the items on the second list of products, published on 27 May, and currently subject to the call for input, would increase the estimated consumer benefit to a total of around £330m to £770m.