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Tory Mps To Vote With Labour In Eu 'solar Tax' Protest
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I’m glad you raised this issue, mikey. As always, all is not quite as it seems. The headline seems to suggest that the Westminster Parliament (ostensibly in control of the UK’s tax affairs) is making a decision that should rightly be within its bailiwick:
“At least 12 Tories are backing a Labour motion opposing any rise in VAT charged on solar panels, wind turbines, draught installation and energy-saving devices. “
However, this is not so. You have to read on:
“The current 5% rate paid by benefit claimants over 60 was ruled illegal by the European Court of Justice in June. In the wake of Wednesday's Budget, UK officials said EU leaders had agreed a deal to allow the UK to scrap the so-called "tampon tax", the 5% VAT rate on women's sanitary products which campaigners have long wanted to reduce to zero.
Eurosceptics have long been critical of rules in force since the early 1990s harmonising VAT rates across the EU, arguing they undermine national sovereignty and the right of member states to set their own tax rates. And this is why:
“The UK and other EU members cannot levy sales tax at less than the standard 15% rate except on specified items. For these approved products and services, countries have the scope to charge VAT at a reduced rate of no less than 5%. The UK has long applied a 5% rate to the installation of domestic energy-saving products for anyone over the age of 60 who is unemployed, disabled or claiming benefits such as income support or housing benefit.
But last year, the European Court of Justice said this was a breach of EU laws as the products and services concerned did not fall within the VAT directive which only exempts the "provision, construction, renovation and alteration of housing as part of social policy" and the "renovation and repairing of private dwellings".
So the Tory rebels are not really all that concerned whether householders pay 5% or 20% VAT on their solar panels. They see this as an ideal opportunity to highlight the fact that the UK is not in charge of its own affairs and never will be whilst it remains a member of the EU.
“At least 12 Tories are backing a Labour motion opposing any rise in VAT charged on solar panels, wind turbines, draught installation and energy-saving devices. “
However, this is not so. You have to read on:
“The current 5% rate paid by benefit claimants over 60 was ruled illegal by the European Court of Justice in June. In the wake of Wednesday's Budget, UK officials said EU leaders had agreed a deal to allow the UK to scrap the so-called "tampon tax", the 5% VAT rate on women's sanitary products which campaigners have long wanted to reduce to zero.
Eurosceptics have long been critical of rules in force since the early 1990s harmonising VAT rates across the EU, arguing they undermine national sovereignty and the right of member states to set their own tax rates. And this is why:
“The UK and other EU members cannot levy sales tax at less than the standard 15% rate except on specified items. For these approved products and services, countries have the scope to charge VAT at a reduced rate of no less than 5%. The UK has long applied a 5% rate to the installation of domestic energy-saving products for anyone over the age of 60 who is unemployed, disabled or claiming benefits such as income support or housing benefit.
But last year, the European Court of Justice said this was a breach of EU laws as the products and services concerned did not fall within the VAT directive which only exempts the "provision, construction, renovation and alteration of housing as part of social policy" and the "renovation and repairing of private dwellings".
So the Tory rebels are not really all that concerned whether householders pay 5% or 20% VAT on their solar panels. They see this as an ideal opportunity to highlight the fact that the UK is not in charge of its own affairs and never will be whilst it remains a member of the EU.
NJ...check out my thread please...your legal opinion is required :::
http://
Why was the charge manslaughter, instead of murder ?
http://
Why was the charge manslaughter, instead of murder ?
"Looks like another defeat in the offing for Dave"
Looks like another defeat in the offing for mikey....
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"Eurosceptics have long been critical of rules in force since the early 1990s harmonising VAT rates across the EU, arguing they undermine national sovereignty and the right of member states to set their own tax rates. "
and thats before they have us completely under their jackboots...how many more reasons do people need to see why we must get out ?
Looks like another defeat in the offing for mikey....
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"Eurosceptics have long been critical of rules in force since the early 1990s harmonising VAT rates across the EU, arguing they undermine national sovereignty and the right of member states to set their own tax rates. "
and thats before they have us completely under their jackboots...how many more reasons do people need to see why we must get out ?
Ymb,
Blair signed the Lisbon Treaty, just like every Tory leader before him signed whatever was put before them on European integration, including the leaderine. The only reason Cameron has not added to the process is because no new treaty has come along on his watch. If it had, he would have signed it.
Blair signed the Lisbon Treaty, just like every Tory leader before him signed whatever was put before them on European integration, including the leaderine. The only reason Cameron has not added to the process is because no new treaty has come along on his watch. If it had, he would have signed it.
"And remember, it was the Conservatives who took us in to Europe, ..."
Quite so. They took us into what was then the "European Economic Community" which was a small trading bloc of six nations (increased to nine when we joined along with Denmark and Ireland). Each of those nations had similar economies, similar GDP per capita, and similar aims and objectives. Unlike the 28 nation behemoth it has morphed into today.
There is no appreciable difference between any of the major political parties on the UK's membership of the EU. They all think it is a great idea because it creates more politics, more politicians and more opportunities for people who have done nothing useful outside politics (aand little of use within it) to get their snouts in the trough. It also absolves them of much o the responsibility for running the country in the best interests of the UK people. ("We can't do that/we must do this - EU regulations, old boy").
Quite so. They took us into what was then the "European Economic Community" which was a small trading bloc of six nations (increased to nine when we joined along with Denmark and Ireland). Each of those nations had similar economies, similar GDP per capita, and similar aims and objectives. Unlike the 28 nation behemoth it has morphed into today.
There is no appreciable difference between any of the major political parties on the UK's membership of the EU. They all think it is a great idea because it creates more politics, more politicians and more opportunities for people who have done nothing useful outside politics (aand little of use within it) to get their snouts in the trough. It also absolves them of much o the responsibility for running the country in the best interests of the UK people. ("We can't do that/we must do this - EU regulations, old boy").
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