Tuesday 3 January 2012

Food for thought

As anyone who takes notice of what is happening around them will know, the European Union is attempting to 'harmonise' the rules on Value Added Tax and negate exemptions that are made for food, clothing and other 'essentials'.


This 'harmonisation' is the subject of an article in the Express by one Padraic Flanagan who writes that the proposals sparked outrage among politicians and public-spending campaigners who attacked the Eurocrats for trying to interfere in ­Britain’s tax affairs. "Trying to interfere in Britain's tax affairs"? Just where have these politicians and public-spending campaigners been for the last heaven knows how long? Trying to interfere - for heavens sake, they are interfering and intend to increase that interference! It is sad to note a newspaper, one that proclaims it is leading the campaign for Britain's cessation of EU membership, treats this subject in what can only be described as a superficial manner.


It is also ironic that on the day the Express publishes that article, the Daily Telegraph publishes an article on the increase in the subsidy of MP's food and drink budget. It has always amazed me that when the average income is circa £20k, those with an income of £65k+ are able to enjoy a level of cuisine about which the public can only dream - likewise the cost. But hey, I suppose this is another facet of representative democracy...........


Just saying......................again.

8 comments:

Jay said...

Hope I'm one of the 4 million who's lucky enough to get HMG's recipe cards - so exciting, just like the Lottery! Think any of these will be listed?

http://www.channel4.com/news/media/2009/04/day16/food2/HoC_Banqueting.pdf

TomTom said...

They always forget to mention that VAT in Germany is levied on Water, Prescriptions, Food, Books, Newspapers, Taxi Fares, Rail Fares etc.

They also forget to mention it is 19% usually with a 7% rate on food and water and prescriptions.....but TAXES make up a similar proportion of GDP as in the UK.....

Since most taxes have been shifted since Thatcher from Corporations to Individuals it is clear that the Public is being prepared for a fresh round of Fleecing

WitteringsfromWitney said...

J: Yummy.........!

TT: Of course we are about to be fleeced again - isn't that the point of any government?

TheBoilingFrog said...

Love the irony of complaining that the EU is interfering with... the implementation of an EU derived tax

graham wood said...

Unfortunately Clegg, Cameron, and the other fruitcakes in our political parties are grossly ignorant beings as regards one of one, amongst many ohters, democratic principle. Any other levy of VAT would illustrate it - again.

NO TAXATION OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
(least of all imposed by self appointed Comissars in a foreign country called "EU")
Period.

WitteringsfromWitney said...

TBF: It had not escaped my notice and was waiting to see how long before someone spotted that - You win first prize: a snog with Louise Mensch!

gw: Unfortunately there's nowt we can do to stop it......

TheBoilingFrog said...

@WfW A snog with Louise Mensch? Thanks, and there was me thinking that you liked me :-)

WitteringsfromWitney said...

TBF: Methinks that there might be more than a snog - especially as she has made it only too clear that she 'wants to get on'!