End of year VAT rate - Stick or twist?
Poll: End of year VAT rate - Stick or twist?
Total Members Polled: 80
Discussion
With the temporary VAT rate coming to an end in a few months time, public sector cut-backs on the way and no real sign of things getting better in the near future for those who were made redundant, where is the VAT rate going?
I dont see it staying at the lower rate as the government needs the money, and for the consumer, a slight rise (back to where it was) wont' make much difference. I think it'll be back to 17.5%
Equally the prospect of a general election could see the governemtn thinking "we're out of here guys, who really cares?"
But what do others think?
I dont see it staying at the lower rate as the government needs the money, and for the consumer, a slight rise (back to where it was) wont' make much difference. I think it'll be back to 17.5%
Equally the prospect of a general election could see the governemtn thinking "we're out of here guys, who really cares?"
But what do others think?
I voted before looking at the current count and number of voters - my pessimism seems to have skewed the result further!
For businessVAT is largely neutral and it is a good tool - in the current climate - for reducing private, personal profligacy, without greatly affecting private business. Has to be raised - we need to clobber this debt.
For businessVAT is largely neutral and it is a good tool - in the current climate - for reducing private, personal profligacy, without greatly affecting private business. Has to be raised - we need to clobber this debt.
It'll be back 17.5% first I would have thought. Easier to implement.
Then the spin doctors can emphasise how the 15% was only temporary and they've actually saved the world.
Then the following year when the tories are in power they will go on about how labour f
ked everything and it needs to be raised to 20%.
We're doomed I tells ya. Doomed!
Then the spin doctors can emphasise how the 15% was only temporary and they've actually saved the world.
Then the following year when the tories are in power they will go on about how labour f

We're doomed I tells ya. Doomed!
Therefore, there is no point in this poll. The rate IS confirmed at 17.5% from 1 January 2010 - which was the question being asked.
Obviously, there is every chance that the rate may change - or new rates introduced - at some time in the future.
Obviously, there is every chance that the rate may change - or new rates introduced - at some time in the future.
Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 22 September 10:28
I believe it will go back to 17.5% as planned.
It has always seemed to me to be a poor way of stimulating the economy. It has loaded big admin burdens on business without providing much of a boost to spending.
The only benefit to the government seems to have been to lower inflation at a time when the BOE is printing money and lowering the base rate to 0.5%.
It has always seemed to me to be a poor way of stimulating the economy. It has loaded big admin burdens on business without providing much of a boost to spending.
The only benefit to the government seems to have been to lower inflation at a time when the BOE is printing money and lowering the base rate to 0.5%.
Eric Mc said:
Mondeohdear said:
To make it easier for us poor misguided fools to be able to work out the VAT it will obviously go up to 20%.
Is this a wild guess or aa prediction.This thread needs to be closed as it is pointless. The rate is increasing to 17.5% on 1 January 2010.

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