p15 Schoolwear:Layout 1 14/04/2009 13:33 Page 15
SCHOOLWEAR ASSOCIATION
Untax our
Low
minimums of
Teens
50
David Burgess, Chairman of
The Schoolwear Association,
says size matters when it
comes to buying school
uniform. But a new
campaign aims to end the
VAT discrepancies for cash-strapped parents
This year, an Early Day Motion (EDM 409) was tabled by Lindsay Hoyle MP,
calling for VAT on all school uniform to be reduced to a zero-rating.
In line with all other children’s clothing, school uniform is currently only
exempt when it fits a child aged 13 or under. It is unlikely that an adult
would wear badged school uniform as a way of buying cheap clothing – it
would look quite sad outside of a ‘school disco’ event – so removing VAT on
all items which are school-specific seems like a fantastic idea on balance.
A uniform is a mandatory purchase for most parents, after all. And one which
brings a number of significant benefits to the child, in terms of promoting a
sense of belonging; the community, in terms of security; and the school, in
terms of behaviour. It seems only logical and fair, therefore, that parents
Low minimums
should not be taxed on this purchase.
EDM 409 did, in fact, arise from a specific case involving one of Lindsay
Hoyle’s constituents - a mother who wrote a letter to him back in August High impact...
after buying school uniform for her large 14-year old son and comparing it
with what she paid for that of her other smaller, younger son. The price
shocked her and indeed the MP, whose office then began to research the
Signatures allows you to create “bespoke”
issue.
polo shirts and sweatshirts which are practical,
The problem is, it is quite simply not legal to reduce the rate of VAT on affordable and individual for your customers.
anything now to zero. This was something we discovered in 2007 when we
first launched our Untax Our Teens campaign.
Ideal for schools and clubs, minimums are set at
When Britain joined the EU in 1973, negotiations took place to enable all only 50 on bespoke garments, white tipped polo
zero-rated VAT items to stay as they were, on the condition that nothing else
shirts in “house colours” are available ex stock on
could ever be made zero-rated. Even if the British Government could be
prevailed upon to agree and change uniforms to a zero-rating they would be
24 hour delivery from May 2009.
fined by the EU!
But while researching our Untax our Teens campaign, we found that it is
Visit www.rowlinson-knitwear.com
possible to persuade the EU to allow the UK to reduce the rate of VAT on
certain items to 5% - the lowest rate possible. This is what we have spent the
and design your
last two years campaigning for, garnering support from our members, MPs,
bespoke product.
MEPs and educational organisations such as the NAHT.
You can also order a free
Since EDM 409 we have met with Lindsay Hoyle to discuss these aspects and
garner his support. We will be
sample which will be
working with him and our other
with you in 14 days*.
MP contacts during the coming
*Subject to demand
weeks. In fact Mark Oaten MP has
just put down two questions on
this precise subject.
If you agree that a mother paying
15% tax on school uniform for one
For further information please
child and 0% for another, purely visit www.rowlinson-knitwear.
because the former may be broader
com or call customer care on
or taller, is ridiculous and you
would like to become involved with
the Untax our Teens campaign
0161 477 7791
please visit our website
www.schoolwearassociation.co.uk
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk May 2009 | 15 |
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