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Wetherspoons boss calls for UK to leave customs union and slash tax on non-EU imports Brexit: Wetherspoons boss calls for UK to leave customs union and slash tax on non-EU imports
(35 minutes later)
Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin called on the government to leave the customs union and eliminate taxes on non-EU food and drink imports, as he unveiled a slowdown in sales growth in the third quarter.Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin called on the government to leave the customs union and eliminate taxes on non-EU food and drink imports, as he unveiled a slowdown in sales growth in the third quarter.
The pub chain reported a 3.5 per cent increase in like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to 29 April, while year-to-date sales have increased by 5.2 per cent.The pub chain reported a 3.5 per cent increase in like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to 29 April, while year-to-date sales have increased by 5.2 per cent.
However, the group said that because the third quarter of the previous financial year included the May bank holiday while this year it did not, sales are likely to by approximately 0.5 per cent lower for the period.However, the group said that because the third quarter of the previous financial year included the May bank holiday while this year it did not, sales are likely to by approximately 0.5 per cent lower for the period.
The group’s chairman, Mr Martin, said the slowdown was in line with expectations, and added: “We continue to face significant cost increases in the second half in areas which include labour, business rates and the sugar tax. There is also some uncertainty as to the effect on sales of the FIFA World Cup.”The group’s chairman, Mr Martin, said the slowdown was in line with expectations, and added: “We continue to face significant cost increases in the second half in areas which include labour, business rates and the sugar tax. There is also some uncertainty as to the effect on sales of the FIFA World Cup.”
Mr Martin, a staunch Brexiteer, also used the company’s trading update to push for a departure from the EU customs union.Mr Martin, a staunch Brexiteer, also used the company’s trading update to push for a departure from the EU customs union.
“I feel sure that the UK should leave. This will enable parliament to eliminate taxes on non-EU food and drink imports, reducing prices in the shops, which will immediately improve living standards,” he said.“I feel sure that the UK should leave. This will enable parliament to eliminate taxes on non-EU food and drink imports, reducing prices in the shops, which will immediately improve living standards,” he said.
“It makes no sense for the UK to continue to impose taxes on New World wines, coffee, rice and thousands of other products, and then to send the proceeds to Brussels. The EU masquerades as a free trade organisation, but it is really a protection racket which imposes import taxes on the 93% of the world's population that is not in the EU.”“It makes no sense for the UK to continue to impose taxes on New World wines, coffee, rice and thousands of other products, and then to send the proceeds to Brussels. The EU masquerades as a free trade organisation, but it is really a protection racket which imposes import taxes on the 93% of the world's population that is not in the EU.”
He said the UK should adopt free trade policies such as those used by New Zealand, Australia and Singapore “rather than being beholden to the undemocratic EU and its unelected presidents”.He said the UK should adopt free trade policies such as those used by New Zealand, Australia and Singapore “rather than being beholden to the undemocratic EU and its unelected presidents”.
Shares in JD Wetherspoon edged up at the open.Shares in JD Wetherspoon edged up at the open.