This was kept quiet!

[JohnD]

What EU directive do you have in mind?

 

[ellal]

Buy a paper bag, get a free hot pasty...

Different 'value' bags available for different hot food items...

simples...

 

[AronSearle]

What EU directive do you have in mind?

http://autonomousmind.wordpress.com/

 

[JohnD]

The change brings us into line with EU directives.

I see.

Perhaps I misunderstood. I got the impression that you were blaming the EU for forcing UK tax laws to charge VAT on all hot food, instead of only on some hot food.

In fact of course it was a UK government decision, right or wrong.

 

[AronSearle]

The change brings us into line with EU directives.

I see.

Perhaps I misunderstood. I got the impression that you were blaming the EU for forcing UK tax laws to charge VAT on all hot food, instead of only on some hot food.

In fact of course it was a UK government decision, right or wrong.

As Richard explains, the change to VAT announced in the budget follows the European Court of Justice rulings on a number of German cases where it was held that Germans had to charge the lower rate of VAT on all hot take-out food, instead of the higher rate. The UK is at the other end of the spectrum, charging 0% on hot take-out food because of our our permanent derogation from the Sixth Council Directive (77/388/EEC), which therefore allows the UK to zero-rate most foodstuffs. But the proposal in the budget would see the UK voluntarily give up this derogation, and once it has been given away it is assured we will never get it back.

In fact of course it was a UK government decision, right or wrong.

It's never really the EU's fault, it's always the UK Governments fault for complying.

I don't blame any bad laws on the EU, I blame our politicians for adapting to them.

 

[AndrewSchofield]

What if a shop sells you a cold pie, but allows you to use their microwave, free of charge, to heat it up before you leave?

 

[ellal]

What if a shop sells you a cold pie, but allows you to use their microwave, free of charge, to heat it up before you leave?

They get clobbered by 'Elf & Safety'...

 

[Whitespirit66]

And what relationship does the temperature of food have to do with its VAT rating? Is there a ruling at what temperature food becomes 'hot'.

Food sold becomes 'hot' if the customer receives it at a temperature above the ambient temperature, ie. the pie, etc is hotter than the room temperature of the shop.

Bizarrely, you could presumably go into your bakery, and buy a pie baked by them to take home and re-heat later in the day before you eat it. If they've just come out the baker's oven, the baker won't be able to sell it to you cold. He'll have to either charge you the extra 20%, or you'll have to come back for the pie later, when it's cooled down.

Also, tabs have gone up 37p a packet in the budget. Will have to cut down on those too. At this rate, I'm going to live to 50.

 

[dreadnoughtheating]

Just had a second thought, if one was to offer 'Takeaway Baked-Alaska', which temperature would be measured? The scorched Meringue or the still frozen Ice-Cream....

Can picture the HMRC inspectors scratching the their heads.


DH

 

[conny]

Its a no-brainer.
They would go for the scorched meringue every time. That way they get their blood money.

 

[AronSearle]

Also, tabs have gone up 37p a packet in the budget. Will have to cut down on those too. At this rate, I'm going to live to 50.

The budget was great news for smugglers.

Even my local chip shop has started selling under the counter fags.