Letter: Toyota warning means Britain must choose to join Europe or join the Third World

Patricia Murtagh
Friday 31 January 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Sir Teddy Taylor's Article "Beware! VAT on food" (29 January), though broadly accurate, is misleading in one notable omission - we already have VAT on food in the UK. Most snacks, biscuits, confectionery, fruit juices and soft drinks incur VAT at 17.5 per cent, which was not imposed by Brussels but under the present government. Other EU countries tax these products at lower rates.

Furthermore, the current EU legal position (Directive 92/77/EEC) was agreed by EU finance ministers voting in unanimity in 1992. This directive was signed on behalf of the UK government by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Norman Lamont MP.

PATRICIA MURTAGH

London SE11

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in