Abolish vat on school uniform

welshgirlmel

I had an email from Trutex asking me to sign an online petition to abolish VAT on school uniform. Thought that this would appeal to the money saving peeps on here, so this is the link

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/VATSchoolUniform/

It has to be signed before August the 9th so it would be great if we can drum up some support on here this week and next
regards Mel

elite_2

I thought childrens clothes were zero rated for VAT anyway?

welshgirlmel

Its to abolish vat on school uniform with a badge

"Given the coverage school uniforms have received to date, and the governments desire to keep school uniform at an affordable price point - why don't they take a more pro-active stance and abolish VAT on items of uniform that carry a school badge? This would help schools to keep their identity, keep the benefits of school specific uniform in place, and drive down the cost of uniform for the people they claim to want to help most."

taken from the e petition

Jo6673

Great idea- I'll have to shell out up to £200 this summer for my sons new uniform -, its ridiculous

welshgirlmel

Thanks Jo, Its almost expected that my son has a school unifrom with a badge and hes in an average primary school.

WestonDave

Kids clothes designed for those under sizes of average 14 year olds are already zero rated. The limit is set at that point because HMRC estimate that above that size there is too much cross over into adult clothes sizes. A plain uniform shirt suitable for a 15 year old could equally be worn by a small adult costing the Treasury income beyond the intended aim of the scheme. The only way it could be extended for the last two years of compulsory schooling (most 6th forms don't wear uniform) is to have garments which are clearly uniform - e.g. have a logo. Trouble is the logo specific garments even zero rated would be more expensive than a plain Asda one with VAT on!

Frankly as one of the more expensive suppliers and one that is often in cahoots with schools to ensure that only premium cost uniform is purchased rather than high street/supermarket value brands, Trutex have a bit of a nerve passing this on!

elite_2

WestonDave wrote: »

Kids clothes designed for those under sizes of average 14 year olds are already zero rated. The limit is set at that point because HMRC estimate that above that size there is too much cross over into adult clothes sizes. A plain uniform shirt suitable for a 15 year old could equally be worn by a small adult costing the Treasury income beyond the intended aim of the scheme. The only way it could be extended for the last two years of compulsory schooling (most 6th forms don't wear uniform) is to have garments which are clearly uniform - e.g. have a logo. Trouble is the logo specific garments even zero rated would be more expensive than a plain Asda one with VAT on!

Frankly as one of the more expensive suppliers and one that is often in cahoots with schools to ensure that only premium cost uniform is purchased rather than high street/supermarket value brands, Trutex have a bit of a nerve passing this on!

Thanks for the clarification - got me thinking how they drew the line as to what is/isn't for kids...

shazrobo

as a mum to 2 tall 12 year old twins i have been buying man size clothes for them, which means i pay vat on all their clothes, they have been in adult size shoes since primary,:eek: yes they big lads and at age 12 with size 12 feet i wonder wen they;ll stop growing

welshgirlmel

Thanks for clarifying Westondave, if you have a child larger than the average 14 year old would still save you money though if it was abolished.
Trutex don`t make it clear though, sounds like its for all children....

Jo6673

shazrobo wrote: »

as a mum to 2 tall 12 year old twins i have been buying man size clothes for them, which means i pay vat on all their clothes, they have been in adult size shoes since primary,:eek: yes they big lads and at age 12 with size 12 feet i wonder wen they;ll stop growing

I know the feeling- DS is just turned 11, size 9 feet and mens size clothes- nightmare to shop for- they were selling school uniform at the yr7 night at school- pointless for us as he'd look like the cat had died by september- he'll be in the next size up by then!

welshflipper

we have a local shop which copies all the school badges on to thier clothing at half the price look the same can't tell the difference so why can't the school charge these prices,i have also before now cut the embroidered badge off my sons polo shirt and sewn onto another plain one you can't tell the difference