Fastrack · Healey Vows Cheaper Marmalade, Gherkins in Pre-Budget Package

Chancellor John Healey will remove import tariffs on over 100 products, from baked beans to gherkins. The cuts lead a package announced ahead of Wednesday's Budget.

20% tariff on marmalade suspended, plus a £19 charge per 100kg.
40p a week: the Daily Mail's estimate of savings on the weekly shop.
150,000 more parents per year will get parental pay, including self-employed fathers.
55p per mile tax-free mileage rate becomes permanent for the first 10,000 miles.

Why it matters: Healey said wars in Iran and Ukraine had raised everyday costs for UK families. The government says the measures will put money back in people's pockets.

Carers will no longer lose their entire allowance for exceeding the earnings limit.
Tariff cuts also cover fertilisers and kerosene heating oil.

The story so far

15 steps · since Oct 13

Oct 13
Oct 15Bank Shares Fall on Expected Budget Tax Rise6 sources
Oct 19
Oct 196:09 AMUK Inflation Rises to 3.5% on Higher Fuel Costs11 sources
Oct 19–20
Oct 207:39 AMUK Borrowing Tops Forecasts Ahead of Budget8 sources
Oct 21–23
Oct 262:03 AMHealey Set to Target Banks in Today's Budget5 sources
Oct 26
Oct 266:33 PMHealey Vows Cheaper Marmalade, Gherkins in Pre-Budget PackageYou are here
Oct 28Healey Confirms Gas Standing Charges to Be Scrapped3 sourcesLatest

How 4 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Mixed

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 4 sources

4 sources · 9 articles · 50% Right coverage

Where they split: The dispute is whether the package meaningfully eases living costs or is outweighed by taxes, borrowing and inflation.

Center coverage, 1 sources: The center sees a list of targeted measures, set against Conservative claims they are too small.

BBC News1dHealey vows cheaper marmalade and gherkins in pre-Budget package

Left coverage, 1 sources: The left sees practical cost-of-living relief from a government gaining ground in the polls.

The Independent1dFrom gherkins to toffees: The food targeted for price cuts in Budget 2026

Right coverage, 2 sources: The right sees modest gains, like 40p off the weekly shop, overshadowed by rising costs.

Daily Mail21hCabinet minister defends 'insulting' cuts to tariffs on beans, chocolate and gherkins... that will save just 40p a week The Sun16hAll the supermarket staples being cut in price in tomorrow’s Budget – from chocolate wafers to gherkins and marmalade

What’s next: Healey delivers the Budget on Wednesday, with Burnham promising to go further.

The Times reports the national living wage will rise 3.9% to £13.20.
How much of the tariff cut will retailers pass on to shoppers?
Will the Budget confirm the reported minimum wage rates for 18- to 20-year-olds?