19/04/2012

'Pasty Tax' Rebels Defeated

An attempt to overturn the so-called ‘pasty tax’ – a tax on takeaway food – has been defeated by the government.

A group of MPs had tried to exclude VAT from freshly baked products where no attempt was made to keep them hot.

Attempts to exempt static caravans from VAT and to undo a cut in the top rate of income tax were among others to fail during debate on the Finance Bill.

But Labour says it will vote against a freeze on age-related allowances - the so-called "granny tax".

A number of protests have been launched since the new Budget proposals were announced. The ‘pasty tax’ has faced opposition with Greggs, Labour and some Conservative and Lib Dem MPs calling for a re-think. They have argued that the tax increases will threaten jobs in the industry and increase prices for consumers by up to 20%.

The government defeated the latest move by a margin of 35 votes.

Hundreds of bakers have said they will march on Downing Street next week in protest over the tax changes.

(H)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

30 November 2010
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
31 March 2005
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
30 May 2014
More Fall Into Debt Following HMRC Overpayments
The number of issues reported to Citizens Advice of people falling into debt as a result of repaying overpaid tax credits increased by 14 per cent in the 2013/14 tax year. Tax Credit debts arise when HMRC over-estimates a person’s entitlement to financial support and ends up having to recoup overpayments.
06 April 2011
Government Tackle Tax Avoidance
David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, has today announced a change in legislation to prevent tax avoidance. The measure will prevent individuals from taking advantage of a tax loophole that would have emerged today had the Government not taken action.
18 March 2004
Chancellor’s film relief rules broadly welcomed
Chancellor Gordon Brown’s decision to offset the closing of a tax loophole widely used by filmmakers with extended tax relief has been generally well received by industry bodies.