Budget 2026 latest: Chancellor Healey to cut food costs in bid to deliver ‘everyday fixes’

The chancellor has unveiled cuts to the cost of supermarket staples including baked beans, gherkins and chocolate ahead of his major Budget announcement this week.

John Healey has announced the removal of import tariffs on over 100 products, as Andy Burnham pledges to deliver “breathing space” for families and businesses in the first Budget under his leadership.

The move is one of a series of so-called “everyday fixes” announced before the Budget on Wednesday, and comes alongside changes to parental pay and carers allowance.

Products expected to see their tariffs cut also include jams, marmalades, garlic and toffees, alongside kerosene and fertilisers.

Meanwhile the chancellor announced he will make the 55p per mile tax-free mileage rates permanent, and that parental pay will be extended to more than 150,000 additional parents per year, including self-employed dads and partners.

The prime minister said the changes will “make life a little easier” for Britons, and said: “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.”

Burnham opens up biggest lead since general election after 100 days in office

Labour continues to increase its lead in the polls as the party sees its highest ratings of this parliament, according to a new survey.

The latest figures from Ipsos show that Andy Burnham’s party is now eight points clear of the Conservatives for voting intention, at 32 points to 24. Reform UK is placed third on 20 points in the poll.