British finance minister Rachel Reeves will on Thursday set out measures to try to ease the cost of living, including free bus fares for children and possible reductions on some food tariffs.
• Children aged five to 15 in England will travel free on participating local buses throughout August. Government is committing £100 million to fund the plan
• Government is also seeking to cut tariffs on more than 100 types of products including biscuits, chocolate and dried fruit and nuts
• Full list of products, expected to provide £150 million benefit for consumers, due next week
• Thursday’s speech in parliament is part of efforts to help revive the Labour Party government’s fortunes after heavy losses in recent local elections that have put Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s position under threat
• Government on Wednesday announced tax breaks on motor fuel and for hauliers
(Reporting by William James）
