Why has the price of fish and chips gone up?

Why has the price of fish and chips gone up?Image caption, The average price of fish and chips is £11.41BySophie CridlandSouth of EnglandPublishedJust nowFish and chips is a staple takeaway for families across the south, but how have rising fish and energy prices affected how much this classic meal costs?A new report says the average price of haddock and chips has climbed to just over £10, while cod and chips costs £11.41.Jon Long, a chip shop owner in Wimborne, Dorset, charges just over that and said he has had to readjust prices but is "looking at revisiting portion sizes.""I think the price is pretty reasonable, I have seen fish and chips as high as £18 for takeaway."Image caption, Jon Long compares today's portion size to one 30 years agoAround 7,210 fish and chip shops operate across the UK, according to industry body Seafish.In Dorset, Jon operates a couple of those premises as well as working on a tuna fishing boat.His grandfather and father were both in the industry; "I swore I never would be involved in fish and chips, but of course it's in your blood."We've diversified partly because of my passion and love for fishing, but also because of the way the economic circumstances are, you've got to have a few strings to your bow."Long charges £11.70 for a regular-sized portion of cod and chips."Let's call it £12." he said as he explained that around £2 of that goes straight to the government in VAT. The cost of the food itself is typically about 35% of the price, or around £3.50 to £4, depending on the type of fish being used.Labour costs are about 40% so £4 goes on staffing.Once food, staff wages, packaging, gas and electricity are paid for, there is around £2 left.That remaining £2 is not simply profit. It helps pay for reinvestment in the business, future improvements and provides Long with his own income.Image caption, Staff working at Long John's fish & chips in WimborneThe war in...