Osborne backs down on pasty tax plans

clock

The Chancellor will not press ahead with the so-called 'pasty tax' after agreeing the plans were too complex and burdensome to business, according to reports.

The Daily Telegraph reported pasties and other bakery items will no longer attract VAT if they are "cooling down" after being taken out of the oven. The government had planned to put 20% VAT on any food served above ambient temperature to address an "anomaly" in the tax system. The move attract wide-spread criticism and protests from bakeries, who said it was a tax on working-class Britons. The Financial Times said the climb down was a new sign of the unravelling Budget. The paper said in another concession to 'middle Britain' the proposed tax on static holiday caravans would a...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Tax Planning

HMRC continues to see raft of pension tax overpayment claims

HMRC continues to see raft of pension tax overpayment claims

Claim numbers hit 12,767 in second quarter

Isabel Baxter
clock 30 July 2025 • 2 min read
Economists pen open letter calling for a UK wealth tax

Economists pen open letter calling for a UK wealth tax

‘A progressive wealth tax is a critical step forward’

Isabel Baxter
clock 29 July 2025 • 3 min read
TISA and industry urge government to rethink IHT on pensions

TISA and industry urge government to rethink IHT on pensions

Research proposes simpler alternatives

Isabel Baxter
clock 14 July 2025 • 5 min read