Government told to put £20 tax on kitchen knives to deter knife crime

It comes as campaigners are advocating for a shift to round-ended knives (Image: Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)

A retired judge has penned an open letter to the Chancellor, urging her to introduce a tax on pointed kitchen knives in the Budget . Former circuit judge Nic Madge is advocating for a tax of approximately £20 on pointed knives to deter consumers from using them, drawing parallels with the charges imposed on plastic bags.

He stated: "Some people call for a ban on new pointed kitchen knives, but expert chefs, butchers and fishmongers need them. An easier and less controversial method would be to create a price differential. The imposition of a 5p charge for single use plastic bags rendered them obsolete.

"In the absence of agreement from manufacturers and retailers, Rachel