Anyone know if this is true? For some reason it's in the right of centre press but not the left (The Guardian, BBC etc). Is it a scare story or are some ignoring it?
Whichever the answer is, the press are going to have to backpedal on the anti-EU things sooner or later if the PM decided he has done enough 'renegotiation' to make it worth while for the UK to stay in Europe. Of course Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may decide to anyway, which would just leave England to have to go along with the referendum because we don't have out own parliament. Of course if we did, we might have the funny situation where the PM pulled out, but all the countries in the UK stayed in. Amusing.
"........... Roger Helmer, Ukip's energy spokesman, said the ECJ ruling was "simply ridiculous beyond belief".
"While the EU claims it wants to reduce energy consumption, this judgement shows what the EU �really really wants� is to increase its take from the VAT system from which it takes a portion of every transaction," he said. .........."
I didn't know the EU gets a lump of our VAT payments !
Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 34535 Location: Hereford
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 15 9:43 am Post subject:
Yep, about a third of one percent. And we then get two thirds of it back via the rebate.
As far as I know, the EU can say something should have VAT on it, but it is the individual countries that fix the rates. If the UK government want to fix the VAT rate at 0 or 1%, I think they can. Do the EU get a direct cut anyway? I thought each government paid an agreed amount, which has to come through taxation of all sorts, then it gives the money out in grants, rebates and other forms.
Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 34535 Location: Hereford
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 15 7:48 am Post subject:
No. The EU mandates vat at a minimum level of 15%, but allows a few goods or services to be at a lower rate. A zero rate is allowed by derogation for relatively few items in the UK. If we ever raise this, it cannot then be reduced back down.
A country's contribution is made of several parts, one of which is a direct cut of vat receipts. For us, it's currently 0.33%.
Vat based revenue makes up about 20% of what we pay into the EU.
What sort of things can you claim back for as a farmer Ty Gwyn? In our case we are not VAT registered so our business has to absorb the VAT, although it is included in the cost to the customer, just not as a separate item.
Vat on all your purchases into the business basically,ie.machinery and repairs,contractors labour,,fencing materials,red diesel,and fuel associated with the business,building materials,working cloths.
Everything that comes into the business.
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