The European Commission wants Member States to give permission to remove the VAT on tampons and other hygiene products. This is evident from claims that have adopted the European leaders in Brussels.
The refugee issue dominates once more the deliberations of the European leaders, but at the beginning of the summit, they also exchanged views on economic issues. Besides pleas for aid to the steel and agriculture leaders also looks forward to the Action Plan on VAT which the European Commission will publish next week.
Tax discrimination: Tampons taxed more heavily than chocolate
The leaders greet advance of the European Commission’s intention to submit proposals on the table which the Member States more flexibility offers concerning reduced VAT rates. Thus, Member States have “the option” to reduce the VAT rate for hygiene products to zero. The minimum rate currently stands at five percent.
The news was particularly welcomed by the UK Government to cheers. As in other countries rages on the island a debate on the abolition of the ‘tampon tax. Prime Minister David Cameron foiled with the explicit European commitment even threatened rebellion by some of his conservative and Eurosceptic backbenchers in the context of the budgetary discussions.
Finance Minister George Osborne immediately made the connection with the upcoming referendum British voters could vote on membership of the European Union. According to him, shows the VAT battle again how Britain “as a powerful voice in a reformed European Union can break a lance for a reform which benefit millions.” Other British media observers suggest again that the Commission was planning this anyway. (Belga / AVE)
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