BBC NEWS | Politics | Lib Dems propose juice tax cuts

Originally Posted by :
VAT on fruit juice and smoothies should be cut from 17.5% to 5% to help encourage healthy diets, the Lib Dem Treasury spokesman is to say.

Vince Cable is expected to tell the party's spring conference in Liverpool the cut in duty would be paid for by a rise in tax on some alcoholic drinks.
Such a tax could raise an estimated £200m, he will say. Health groups welcomed the idea but the Treasury said using taxes to promote public health could be problematic.

Why is there even tax on fruit juice in the first place? Makes me sick that our loving government tax food and drink, nevermind "healthy" food and drink.
[Rep]

They can produce whatever policy's they like they are not getting into power whatever they do and if you vote for them then you really are wasting your time and 5 minutes of your life.
[Rep]

I have always thought that tax cuts are by far the best way to help people - rather than cash handouts.

Asa student who doesn't have to pay any income tax or council tax, I can live quite comfortably on a salary which would be considered as below the poverty line for a single person.
[Rep]

Wouldn't they need permission from the EU to do this? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't our VAT rate is set by the EU?

Originally Posted by :
A common VAT system is compulsory for member states of the European Union. The EU VAT system is imposed by a series of European Union directives, the most important of which is the Sixth VAT Directive (Directive 77/388/EC). Nevertheless, some member states have negotiated variable rates (Madeira in Portugal) or VAT exemption for regions or territories.

Value added tax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm also curious to know whether the Lib Dims would be allowed to do it, given signals from Brussels that they might seek to end the current zero VAT exemptions in the name of 'harmonisation'.

Originally Posted by Telegraph:
The UK applies the lowest rate on domestic fuel and power. Certain goods are exempted including postal services, medical care, lending, insurance and betting. On joining the European Economic Community in 1973, Britain won the concessions for a zero rate on books, newspapers and children's clothes.
The commission said it wanted to reopen discussions on rules its described as "highly disparate and very complex". The commission would like to see the zero-rate VAT band abolished.

EU wants tax on books and children's clothes - Telegraph
[Rep]

I am past the point of listening to any of the main three parties. They say anything to gain support and then stab their supporters in the back.
[Rep]

Originally Posted by Rebirth:
I am past the point of listening to any of the main three parties. They say anything to gain support and then stab their supporters in the back.

Good to hear now how to make the rest of the public who still vote and believe that their old party's will save and put them first to wake up aswell.
[Rep]

Some EU countries have or lower VAT Rates for certain things.(Google EU VAT RATES).

One country may charge 6% while we charge 17.5% for the same thing(s).

Unless there have been chaqnges of late.

France used to charge 19% for some items that we charged 17.5% for.
[Rep]

This is good info and pretty recent,(May 2007).

European VAT Rates-Value Added Tax
[Rep]

It's overdue for UKIP to get out tax policies that go beyond personal taxation. We would surely abolish VAT altogether, and return to simple purchase tax. The total cost of collecting VAT must be mind-boggling.
[Rep]

It isn't easily negotiable. Fruit juices are classed by the EU as a standard rated product for VAT and not eligible to be taxed at less than 15%.
[Rep]