Calls for VAT cut on school uniforms
Wednesday, 28 January 2009 12:01 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
A motion calling for school uniforms to be free of all VAT is gathering support in Westminster.
Yesterday, Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester and former leadership contender, became the latest MP to back the early day motion (EDM), which was tabled by Labour MP Lindsay Hoyle.
Under the current system, parents have to pay the full VAT on clothes for children aged 14 and over or children who exceed the set size limits on school uniforms.
The motion calls on the government to scrap both the size and age limit for VAT exemption.
"I don't really think its fair to say to parents 'this jumper doesn't fit your child so you have to pay more than the others' or suddenly have a cut off point for children aged 14 and over to have to pay full price," Mr Oaten said.
"A lot of parents struggle to pay for all the different things our children need for school - stationery, sports kit and all the rest. So why not make a small change, not too expensive, that will actually make a meaningful difference to parents' pockets?" he added.
The motion is doing the rounds in Westminster as the Treasury committee release a report casting doubt on the effectiveness of the government's temporary VAT cut.
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