Rachel Reeves’s 'eye-watering' taxes pushing city into 'clutches of organised crime' as council accused of 'utter failure'

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Rachel Reeves' "eye-watering" tobacco taxes are driving Newcastle residents into the "clutches of organised criminals", the Reform Leader at Newcastle City Council has warned.One in seven cigarettes in the UK is now illicit and the Chancellor's tobacco taxes pulled in £1.3billion less than expected in the year to June 2025, according to HMRC's latest figures - indicating smokers are turning away from legal products, to cheaper, illegal alternatives.

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However, in Newcastle, one in five smokers are buying and using illicit products, according to a 2025 survey.

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Despite the city's rampant illicit trade, a new Freedom of Information request has revealed it has just three Trading Standards officers covering 2,000 shops selling tobacco.

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TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Cllr Steven Rutherford, Leader of the Opposition at Newcastle City Council, told GB News the city's small Trading Standards team meant organised criminals were able to operate with ease."If you live in Newcastle, you know...

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