Traditional British chippies could be the latest victims of the cost of living crisis, say reports.
Up to 5,000 of the UK's 10,500 fish and chip shops could be driven out of business by a devastating combination of tariffs imposed on Russia and the rising cost of ingredients, according to government figures.
The combined effect of the two factors could result in the price of the average fish and chip supper being pushed up to £11.50 from £8.50.
The taste may change too as traditional cod and haddock, which are imported from overseas, could be substituted for hake and other variants of white fish.
The sector's most recent setback came last week when the UK Government imposed a 35 per cent tariff on all seafood shipped in from Russia. The move is designed to hurt Russian President Vladimir Putin following his country's invasion of Ukraine.
Russia supplies approximately one third of the UK's imported white fish and controls up to 45 per cent of the supply across the world.
Cod supplies for some chip shop owners have reportedly already increased from £8 to £14 a kilo.
Speaking to The Sun, a Government source said: “We all want to punish Putin, but this drives people out of business in a cost of living crisis."
A spokesperson for the Government told the paper: "The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine and we will continue to ratchet the pressure to isolate the Russian economy and inflict maximum damage to Putin's regime.
"We know fish and chips shops are a well-loved British tradition and we are working closely with industry to mitigate the impact these sanctions may have on British businesses."
