You might need some better examples. They invented that pesky interweb thingy and ’emails’ – trips to the post box for the average PAYE home worker are a little on the wane.
You get the point though.... Its not limited to cycling to work despite being referred to as a cycle to work scheme, green commute etc etc.
Take the same amount of money it must cost and reduce the VAT on bikes
This. The whole scheme favours the "haves" more than the "have nots"
Convert is your work colleague who walks to work under 5'4"? if so I can send them a bike the week after next. PM me if you want this.
Generally agree with the rationale of the points you started.
@morecashthandash topping up is perfectly fine, always has been. You get the agreed amount and pay everything over that when you purchase the bike.
HMRC specifically wouldn't let us, and shops withdrew the offer when they knew which scheme I was under 🤷♂️
I'm with Convert on this
The amount of folks using the scheme to get discount on 2nd bikes, downhill bikes etc and - in at least one case - selling them on before they legally own them, us quite astonishing.
I'd also guess that most of those folks were quite indignant, during the MP's expenses scandal.
Convert is your work colleague who walks to work under 5’4″? if so I can send them a bike the week after next. PM me if you want this.
Thanks for your incredibly kind offer. Unfortunately his nickname of 'Lurch' gives you an idea of height! I've actually moved jobs recently but your post has reminded me to do more than moan and I too could rustle him something up from my spare bin and a few donations. More anon.
I don’t see it as giving back. Just more of the same potential for reduced tax liability/tax avoidance for those aware of the benefits. I’d rather see VAT eliminated and everyone saving 20% than the 20% and 40% tax bracket and NI savings.
Perhaps giving back was poorly worded on my part. Earnings are complex with non PAYE, benefits etc. Cycle to work cant fix that but gives a simple system for PAYE employees to save the percentage they put in on a bike that will hopefully encourage a healthier lifestyle and/or less congestion on the roads. If the system was any more complex, people would complain about that.
I have no issue in reducing or removing VAT on bikes as another way of doing it but there will be somebody who says that isn't fair as low earners cant afford expensive bikes so it doesn't matter what the VAT is...
