SCOTTISH Bakers welcomed the statement from the Treasury to reverse their decision to apply a tax on bakery products sold over ambient temperature.
Said Alan Clarke, chief executive of Scottish Bakers: “Bakery products contribute £594.7million to the Scottish Economy and the proposed legislation was flawed by proposing to tax bakery products sold over ambient temperature.
“Ambient temperature changes with each season and this would have just led to confusion among customers, bakers and the tax collectors.”
He added: “There is a clear distinction between putting VAT on freshly baked products and products that are reheated.
“This means that customers in Scotland can enjoy freshly baked goods and make their own decision when they eat them, without being subject to tax.”
Mr Clarke added: “We have been concerned that making customers across Scotland pay more for the same product in the current economic climate was just adding to the difficulties that bakers across Scotland face.
“This could have led to a reduction in retail footfall, further damaging high streets across Scotland where many bakers trade and subsequently putting some of the 12,000 jobs in the craft bakery sector in jeopardy.”
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Notes to the editor
About Scottish Bakers
Alan Clarke is available for comment on 07702 547127.
Scottish Bakers is the trading name of the Scottish Association of Master Bakers, which was formed in 1891.
Our aims are to raise the profile of craft bakers and to raise skills in the bakery sector.
The Association is recognised as the voice of the bakery sector in Scotland and continues to be an integral part of each member’s business operation by offering a wide range of services and promoting and protecting apprenticeship qualifications.
For press and communications enquiries, please contact: Anna Drogon on anna@scottisgbakers.org or 0131 229 1401 or Alan Clarke on alan@scottishbakers.org 07702 547127.
For more information about Scottish Bakers please visit our website www.scotttishbakers.org.
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