Millions of people in the United Kingdom are expected to benefit as the government begins consultations on suspending tariffs on more than 120 everyday essential items.

The UK government announced on Wednesday that the products covered under the proposed policy have been published, building on the tariff suspension initiative first introduced in April.

The list of 125 items includes garlic, avocados, mangoes, nectarines, vegetable oil, chocolate, sauces, soft drinks, fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil and baked beans.

Authorities said the government would engage businesses and other stakeholders before implementing the plan, while also increasing mileage rates for about three million people who use their personal vehicles for work purposes.

The government is equally seeking public and industry input on whether suspending tariffs on certain fertilisers could help farmers manage rising production costs linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said the administration was introducing measures to cushion the impact of global economic pressures and keep household prices under control.

According to Reeves, the fuel duty freeze, increase in mileage rate — the first adjustment in 15 years — and temporary VAT reductions form part of broader efforts to ease financial pressure on residents and businesses.

She noted that the relief measures recognise the exposure of farmers and transport operators to high fuel costs and their critical role in maintaining supply chains across the country.

“We are a government firmly on the side of drivers, and that means acting when hardworking people are being left out of pocket,” Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.

The government said the proposed tariff suspension is expected to lower import costs, reduce pressure on food prices and support economic stability amid global inflation concerns.

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A major driver of this growth was a sharp rise in home buying. Buyers rushed to complete deals before a property tax break ended on March 31. This created a strong push in the housing market.

Consumer spending also increased. The growth was revised up to 0.4%, from an earlier estimate of 0.2%. People spent more on housing, transport, services, and household goods. Many households used their savings to cover these costs. Even so, the savings rate stayed solid at 10.9%.

Manufacturing played a key role as well. Businesses raised production early in the year. They were preparing for potential import tariffs from the United States. Some of those tariffs have now been delayed, reducing pressure on firms.

Despite the strong start, the outlook is mixed. Early estimates show a 0.3% drop in output for April. This was caused by a few one-off events that disrupted activity.

The Bank of England expects growth to slow in the second quarter. It now forecasts a 0.25% rise between April and June. Even so, the strong first quarter may ease the need for new tax increases. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves says the trend is encouraging.

Business and consumer confidence are also rising. A recent survey showed employer confidence at a nine-year high. Economists believe the earlier dip in spending and hiring was only temporary.

With two more interest rate cuts expected this year, spending may continue to rise. That could help support further economic growth in the months ahead.

The post UK Economy Posts Strongest Growth in Over a Year in Early 2025 appeared first on Housing TV Africa.