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Cycling to be VAT-free

29 posts & 23 voices | Started 5 months ago by samwich | Latest reply from GrahamS

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samwich - Member

Like that idea?

Then join in and sign the e-Petition to the Treasury here: VAT-free Cycling - e-Petition or at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/24467 if the link does not work...

It has to be worth a go surely? It would be good for the government's efforts to reduce NHS costs for sure!

If every one of us shares this with everyone we know and encourages a few of those to sign it to and pass it on then we will easily reach the minimum signatures required to force the proposal debate by MPs.

Share this everywhere and keep reposting till it happens!!!!

Do it!

Posted 5 months ago #
The Southern Yeti - Member

I've already signed up to the free beer e-petition.

Posted 5 months ago #
tthew - Member

I could use all the save 20 percents to pay the road tax for my bike.
Win-win!!

Posted 5 months ago #
djglover - Member

Why can't cycling be free. My other favorite things are like porn and beer*.

*OK I steal that

Posted 5 months ago #
theflatboy - Member

the thread title is slightly misleading!

Posted 5 months ago #
GrahamS - Member

Sounds good to me.

As for "road tax":

http://ipayroadtax.com

Posted 5 months ago #
b r - Member

So rich IT boys can subsidised by minium-wage income tax payers?

Posted 5 months ago #
D0NK - Member

So rich IT boys can subsidised by minium-wage income tax payers?
I'd say thats probably the main motivation round here but surely there would be some benefits for the country.

Obviously not suggesting bling bikes get 20% off but more utilitarian stuff could be VAT free?

Posted 5 months ago #
GrahamS - Member

So rich IT boys can subsidised by minium-wage income tax payers?

Surely it gives "minium-wage income tax payers" access to cheaper transportation options?

Posted 5 months ago #
irc - Member

"So rich IT boys can subsidised by minium-wage income tax payers?"

Like the current cycle to work scheme you mean?

No VAT would give the same benefit without the admin costs. Would be open to everyone not just those whose employers choose to run the scheme.

Posted 5 months ago #
D0NK - Member

I was going to mention C2W but from some of the comments on here it seems to be seen as a tax fiddle (frames or wheels or even just bikeshop vouchers)

I do think full bikes <£1K vat free is reasonable tho, any downsides to that?

Posted 5 months ago #
jcjc - Member

I think it would further annoy motorists who pay through the nose.

Plus - the biggest winners will be the rich IT boys buying bling machines.

If this was genuinely to benefit and encourage people to cycle to work and then it should apply just to hybrid and commuter classified bikes, which would cut off the bottom of the market supermarket BSOs, and top of the market rich boys playthings.

Posted 5 months ago #
5thElefant - Member

Should apply to all luxury sporting toys. Motorbikes and snowboards come to mind.

Posted 5 months ago #
joao3v16 - Member

Do these e-petitions ever actually achieve anything?

I tend to think they're just there to make the people think that the Govt is interested in our views ... "we value your input" bla bla ... ultimately it all gets thrown in the bin

(Too cynical?)

Posted 5 months ago #
GrahamS - Member

No VAT would give the same benefit without the admin costs. Would be open to everyone not just those whose employers choose to run the scheme.

Agreed. And to those who are unemployed and thus most in need of cheap personal transport.

If this was genuinely to benefit and encourage people to cycle to work and then it should apply just to hybrid and commuter classified bikes

How are you going to accurately classify that though? I see plenty of people commuting on CX or road bikes.

Posted 5 months ago #
tthew - Member

Do these e-petitions ever actually achieve anything?
No. If there's over a certain number of names, (might be 300,000 now as they realised that 100,000 meant too many hitting the mark) they have to have a discussion in the house of commons and a vote.

Even if the vote is won, the government still aren't obliged to put the motion into law.

Posted 5 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

GrahamS - Member

"No VAT would give the same benefit without the admin costs. Would be open to everyone not just those whose employers choose to run the scheme."

Agreed. And to those who are unemployed and thus most in need of cheap personal transport.

hello - real world calling. When you have £50 a week to live on you are not going to be buying new bikes

Posted 5 months ago #
Northwind - Member

joao3v16 - Member

Do these e-petitions ever actually achieve anything?

Well... The numbers are off the website now but the old government e-petitions site was eye-opening.

The biggest response was when 1.8 million against the "planned vehicle tracking and road pricing policy" which simply didn't exist. Government response: "It doesn't exist".

Half a million people signed up against the famous giant London mosque, which was originally invented by neo-nazi group Stormfront. So they're probably pretty pleased. Government response: "It doesn't exist"

Half a million also signed up against the ban on the Red Arrows at the Olympics, which was made up by the Sun. Government response: "Are you people morons? IT DOESN'T EXIST! When you read something and think "That's incredible" why is it you then instantly believe it? Look up the word "incredible"! While you're at it, also look up "credulous""

Posted 5 months ago #
Del - Member

When you have £50 a week to live on you are not going to be buying new bikes

that is a fair observation, however more bikes generally, means more second hand bikes, which might make something a bit better available to Mr R.World.
the benefit doesn't have to be direct to work, does it?

Posted 5 months ago #
rootes1 - Member

one of the bad points of the c2w scheme is that if you were on min wage or just above - the salary sacrifice could take people below the legal minimum wage and this was not allowed..

Posted 5 months ago #
samuri - Member

"So rich IT boys can subsidised by minium-wage income tax payers?"

We've already established that IT is one of the least represented industries on this forum.

It's rich health staff who will benefit.

Posted 5 months ago #
brooess - Member

happy to pay my taxes tbh. Don't want to end up like Greece...

Posted 5 months ago #
matthewlhome - Member

I believe that cycle helmets are already VAT free. Look how much cheaper that has made helmets. Girl Aeon retails at 200, Xar at 125. Prices are at what the market will stand with or without VAT they will still be around the same.
Where no VAT or reduced would make an important difference to many would be on labour for repairs I think.

Posted 5 months ago #
matthewlhome - Member

Obviously I meant Giro not girl

Posted 5 months ago #
miketually - Member

The whole VAT system needs overhauling; the categories are ridiculous and often make no sense at all.

Posted 5 months ago #
sv - Member

The 'industry' will just get the 20% not us!

Posted 5 months ago #
gwaelod - Member

I thought once the UK govt had brought VAT in on an item they couldn't then get rid of it as it would be a contravention of a fairly longstanding European Union agreement. If this is the case the petition is utterly pointless.

Posted 5 months ago #
Gasman Jim - Member

Yes but don't forget good old Dave is getting us out of the EU.

Posted 5 months ago #
GrahamS - Member

hello - real world calling. When you have £50 a week to live on you are not going to be buying new bikes

Fair point, but not everyone who is unemployed is living on £50 a week are they?

Posted 5 months ago #

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