Chi Onwurah MP for Newcastle Central has questioned the Treasury Minister about the government plans to tax pretzels.
Ms Onwurah said:
“ I am sure you know that Newcastle is the home of the Greggs pasty and so I was hopeful that the chancellors latest u turn might have resolved his great savouries shambles. But now I learn that the Chancellor has turned his wrath on the pretzel sellers of Newcastle. Could the Chancellor possibly focus on bringing growth to the economy rather than confusion to our eating habits”.
The minister admitted that there were anomalies in the way that some hot foods were taxed and would try to remove these.
Chi is concerned that shops in Newcastle selling such foods as pretzels should not be undermined by being hit by further taxes at a time when customers and businesses are finding life tough going.