𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Rachel Reeves has been urged to help struggling fish and chip shops as a trade body warns many could have to close their doors due to rising prices. The soaring cost of energy, cooking oil and fish is all impacting the industry, with the National Federation of Fish Friers calling on the Chancellor to slash fuel duty.

Trawlers are remaining in port after fuel prices shot up due to the war in the Middle East and Iran’s continued de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Fishermen are reportedly unable to make a profit, sending fish prices skyrocketing and placing greater pressure on Britain’s cherished chippies. Andrew Cook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said fuel duty should be cut amid the disruption caused by the situation in the Gulf.

He accused Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s net zero plans of “lacking common sense” and warned many fish and chip shops are set to follow the 1,500 that have closed in recent years.

Mr Cook told The Sun: “We’re in danger of throwing our economy away to try to meet the arbitrary net zero goal.

“Independent fish and chip shops are feeling the brunt. The price of cod has doubled and it’s very difficult to turn a profit.

“We’re seeing shops close. We’ve lost 1,500 in the past three years and expect many more to shut.”

One fisherman told the newspaper that a week’s worth of diesel has increased to £20,500 from £10,000.

There are roughly 9,000 fish and chip shops left in the UK, with around 500 closing each year.

Oil prices have hit a near three-week high on Monday, with a barrel of Brent crude rising by 2% to just under 108 US dollars (approximately £80) per barrel.

Progress on US-Iran peace talks has hit a stumbling block after Donald Trump cancelled plans to send a negotiating team to Pakistan.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said it is doing “detailed work to assess the food sector’s exposure to rising fuel prices”.