Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Adam Jogee (Labour) on Friday, 10 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. It was answered by Kate Dearden (Labour) on Monday, 20 April 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Take-away Food: Staffordshire

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken to support fish and chip shops with the cost of food in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

Original answer

Fish and chip shops, like many hospitality businesses, continue to face significant cost pressures, driven by global uncertainty, volatile energy markets, supply chain disruption and wider inflation, which have contributed to higher food input prices.

The Government recognises the impact this has on businesses and communities, including in Newcastle under Lyme and across Staffordshire and is taking action to help businesses manage these costs. This includes permanently lower business rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties and increasing the employment allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, meaning up to 865,000 employers will pay no employer National Insurance contributions.

We continue to engage with industry through the Hospitality Sector Council to strengthen resilience and productivity across the sector.

The answer was corrected by Kate Dearden (Labour)

on Monday, 20 April 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Corrected answer

Fish and chip shops, like many hospitality businesses, continue to face significant cost pressures, driven by global uncertainty, volatile energy markets, supply chain disruption and wider inflation, which have contributed to higher food input prices.

The Government recognises the impact this has on businesses and communities, including in Newcastle under Lyme and across Staffordshire and is taking action to help businesses manage these costs. This includes permanently lower business rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties and increasing the employment allowance from £5,000 to £10,500., meaning up to 865,000 employers will pay no employer National Insurance contributions.

We continue to engage with industry through the Hospitality Sector Council to strengthen resilience and productivity across the sector.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
126195
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Costs Fish Staffordshire Take-away food
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk