Labour and Lib Dems respond to Government announcement on tariffs for Russian goods

Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Labour’s Shadow International Trade Secretary,commenting on the government’s ban on exports to Russia of high-end luxury goods, said:

“For weeks, Labour has been calling for tougher sanctions including a ban on luxury goods, so it is a positive step that Ministers have listened and announced this, though it should have not taken this long.

“Urgent sanctions have been needed so that Putin and his inner circle cannot live a Mayfair lifestyle in Moscow whilst committing atrocities in Ukraine.

“The Government now needs to ensure that the export ban has no loop holes so it has maximum impact.”

Responding to the Government announcement that vodka imported from Russia will face a 35% tax, Liberal Democrat Business and Trade Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

“It is absurd that while Putin besieges Ukrainian cities, Russian companies can still peddle their high-end vodka in the UK.

“We need to send a message that it is no longer business as usual. The government should ban all imports of Russian vodka and back our great British distillers instead.

“As Ukraine's cities are bombed, we need to stop as much money as possible from reaching Putin's war chest."