THANK YOU TO ALL THE MEMBERS WHO
SUPPORTED US ON
THE DEMONSTRATION TO
SAY NO TO 20% VAT PIE TAX
In announcing plans to change the VAT rules on freshly baked, hot pies, pasties and other savouries, which would increase by 20% the cost of some of the nation’s favourite and most affordable foods to families already suffering budget constraints, The Chancellor, George Osborne, has angered craft bakers across the country who fear for the resulting loss of sales and the effects on their businesses.
In response to The Chancellor’s announcement and in support of their members, The National Association of Master Bakers (NAMB) is mounting a campaign to ensure that this proposal is dropped from ministerial plans before it can become law in October 2012.
Says Mike Holling, Chairman of NAMB, ‘We have until 4th May to make the government see how this price increase will effect ordinary people and how unmanageable the implementation of the tax will be; concentrating as it does on the relative hotness of the product in comparison to the ambient temperature in the baker’s shop! The Association believe the proposal is ill conceived and poorly thought through making it open to mis-interpretation. It will be confusing for both bakery staff and consumers who will see it as an unfair tax.
If we are to halt this unpalatable tax, that will affect the majority of craft bakers, it is essential that we create a united front to deliver a clear, precise and comprehensive argument to the Treasury and in order to do this, and fully represent our members interests, the NAMB are preparing a serious and potentially legal challenge to the proposal.
British Baker has joined forces with NAMB to create an on-line petition against the 20% tax proposal and we would urge all bakers to visit www.masterbakers.co.uk to sign the petition, which be will be delivered to the Treasury, to that demonstrate the strength of feeling in the industry. Also on our website bakers will find a petition that they can download and place in their shops, so that their customers too can register their opposition to the tax proposal. There are also window posters to download so that together we can get the message out to consumers who will feel the effect of this tax, in their pocket!
The Association will be mailing members with further campaign plans. We hope you will support our actions to deliver a united and powerful message to the Treasury about the damage this tax could do to our businesses. It is vital that we show our support for our customers by showing a strong opposition to this ministerial proposal.’
Download a word version of the Shop Petition
BAKERY COMPETITION
SUNDAY 24TH JUNE 2012
Bakers’ Fair Summer, Kempton Park,
Sunbury on Thames on Sunday 24th June 2012.
National Craft Baker Week
October 8th - 13th 2012
Register Today and join others across
The country as they come together for one
Special week to showcase their skills to their local community
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NAMBI
NAMBI is the approved and recommended insurance provider for The National Association of Master Bakers. Working closely with the association NAMBI have developed a suite of insurance products specifically aimed at the baking industry
