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3. Jaffa Cake or Biscuit?

From rock stars to rogue billionaires, tax has shaped fortunes and toppled empires. Dan Neidle unpicks its strangest and most consequential stories.

A biscuit or a cake? That was the question that landed biscuit company McVities in court in 1991 - and the fate of the Jaffa Cake rested on the most unexpected piece of evidence.

But behind the absurdity lies a deeper issue - how the UK’s messy VAT system distorts prices, creates baffling tax battles, and might just be costing us over £20 billion a year.

Producer: Tom Pooley
Music: Jaffa Cake Musical is by Gigglemug Theatre, with songs by Sam Cochrane, arrangements by Rob Gathercole, and Katie Pritchard singing 'Tax Man'.

A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Sat 11 Oct 202505:45
BBC Radio 4

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Broadcasts

  • Wed 2 Apr 202513:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Mon 21 Jul 202521:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 10 Oct 202514:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sat 11 Oct 202505:45
    BBC Radio 4