Tampon Tax : who should decide

CLAPTON

should the UK government have the power to decide the level of VAT on tampons

Mistermeaner

im not sure; what do you think?

Im sure it has something to do with immigrants though

littlegreenfrog_2

No.

VAT is something which is harmonised at EU level because we are part of the internal market. That means that where relevant, we have to follow common rules.

It is, however, the perfect issue to take the EU to task on. If the UK government took a unilateral decision to reduce VAT on sanitary products to zero, it would be contrary to EU rules and would make this into a political issue about the UK not playing by the rules. The real issue would be ignored. If the UK government uses its position as a member state to campaign for sanitary products to be zero rated across the EU, that is a much better result. Firstly it shows that we can and do bring about change on issues which we think are important. And secondly it means that women across the EU can benefit from zero rated sanitary products.

CLAPTON

littlegreenfrog wrote: »

No.

VAT is something which is harmonised at EU level because we are part of the internal market. That means that where relevant, we have to follow common rules.

It is, however, the perfect issue to take the EU to task on. If the UK government took a unilateral decision to reduce VAT on sanitary products to zero, it would be contrary to EU rules and would make this into a political issue about the UK not playing by the rules. The real issue would be ignored. If the UK government uses its position as a member state to campaign for sanitary products to be zero rated across the EU, that is a much better result. Firstly it shows that we can and do bring about change on issues which we think are important. And secondly it means that women across the EU can benefit from zero rated sanitary products.

If the EU refused or indeed forced us to charge 20% you would still think that's OK
(we note e.g. that VAT on energy efficiency products (insulation etc) has just been increased to 20% by order of the EU

princeofpounds

Unfortunately it is one of those situations where a policy that is structurally sensible (tax harmonisation across a single market) generates a decision that is structurally stupid (VAT on a necessity consumption item).


Personally I think it's precisely the sort of decision where a national government should break ranks. Clearly any lobbying within the EU on this point prior to the decision failed. Although I wouldn't be surprised if it now gets changed as a way to show Europe is 'listening'.

mayonnaise

Mistermeaner wrote: »

im not sure; what do you think?

Im sure it has something to do with immigrants though

Them immergrants have stolen our jobs, houses and wimmin...and are now after our tampons also! :mad:

CLAPTON

princeofpounds wrote: »

Unfortunately it is one of those situations where a policy that is structurally sensible (tax harmonisation across a single market) generates a decision that is structurally stupid (VAT on a necessity consumption item).


Personally I think it's precisely the sort of decision where a national government should break ranks. Clearly any lobbying within the EU on this point prior to the decision failed. Although I wouldn't be surprised if it now gets changed as a way to show Europe is 'listening'.

do you also favour harmonising income tax, NI, car tax, fuel tax etc etc

littlegreenfrog_2

CLAPTON wrote: »

do you also favour harmonising income tax, NI, car tax, fuel tax etc etc

No, not everything is relevant to the internal market. But VAT is because it directly affects the price of goods and services, so if you are going to be in an internal market with other countries, you need to agree a shared approach on these issues.

littlegreenfrog_2

princeofpounds wrote: »

Clearly any lobbying within the EU on this point prior to the decision failed.

I'm not sure there has been much significant lobbying until recently. It used to be something minority parties like the Greens spoke up against. But it's something that UKIP and the Tories have recently decided might be a good idea as they think it will help soften their image of being a party run by and for white, middle-class men over 40.

michaels

littlegreenfrog wrote: »

No, not everything is relevant to the internal market. But VAT is because it directly affects the price of goods and services, so if you are going to be in an internal market with other countries, you need to agree a shared approach on these issues.

Surely the corollary to the free movement of labour should be harmonized income tax rates and benefits? Otherwise one country could give itself a competitive advantage in employment and suck up all the unemployed but motivated from across the continent causing a brain drain that would severekly damage the less successful economies putting a strain on their health services as just one example?

POPPYOSCAR

littlegreenfrog wrote: »

I'm not sure there has been much significant lobbying until recently. It used to be something minority parties like the Greens spoke up against. But it's something that UKIP and the Tories have recently decided might be a good idea as they think it will help soften their image of being a party run by and for white, middle-class men over 40.

Women have been lobbying about this for years but from what I understand it has taken UKIP to actually prompt any action.


I have also heard that the EU now have to have several meetings before it can be agreed and make take a couple of years to actually take effect.