UK Government to Cut Import Tariffs on Food and Offer Free Bus Travel

Government officials will announce tariff cuts on more than 100 imported food products including biscuits, chocolate, dried fruit and nuts. The reductions are expected to lower prices for consumers and save households more than £150 million per year. The full list of affected products will be published next week. Officials said the changes form part of a broader effort to address rising prices.

A separate scheme will provide free bus travel for children aged five to 15 on participating local routes across England during August school holidays. Officials are allocating more than £100 million to fund the fares and support bus operators. The measures were outlined ahead of a statement scheduled for the House of Commons on Thursday.

The household energy price cap is projected to rise by £209 a year from July due to higher global oil and gas prices. Officials have indicated that a comprehensive winter support package is not expected until September. Consumer price inflation fell to 2.8 percent in April, the lowest level since March 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The drop was largely attributed to a previous reduction in the energy price cap. Officials have extended a 5p cut in fuel duty until the end of the year and introduced tax relief for hauliers and farmers using red diesel.