LONDON (AP) — Britain’s treasury has caved in to popular pressure over its plan to impose sales taxes on freshly baked goods, handing a victory to supporters of the humble pasty.
U.K. finance chief George Osborne had planned to close a loophole which allowed takeout items — including heated savory snacks such as pies, pasties and sausage rolls — to escape a 20 percent sales tax.
But the new rules were attacked by political opponents and Britain’s tabloid newspapers as an attack on some of the working class’s favorite food. Of particular concern was the British pasty, meat and vegetables carried in a pastry crust beloved by students and workers. The Sun newspaper joined bakery chain Greggs in campaigning against the “Pasty Tax.”
The government announced its U-turn late Monday night.
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