'Tax on uniforms should be uniform'
School uniform manufacturer Trutex is calling for the abolition of VAT on school-specific branded uniforms, asserting that parents with bigger children are being forced to fork out unfairly, the Guardian reports.Although uniforms for pupils at primary and middle schools are not subject to VAT, secondary school uniforms in sizes above that of an 'average-sized' child of 14 attract the full 17.5 per cent levy.Yet in the light of the recent announcement that 52-inch blazers were now being stocked for obese schoolchildren, it is apparent that the accepted 'average' no longer applies.Trutex has petitioned chancellor Gordon Brown, asking that the government extend a zero-rating to all garments featuring a school badge, regardless of size. Trutex's marketing director, Clare Rix, pointed out that for schools with pupils exclusively under the age of 14, VAT is not applied to garments with school insignia, irrespective of size, yet this exemption is not extended to most secondary schools. Ms Rix said: "There is no logical reason for this to be the case and the abolishment of VAT should be on badged items within all schools. If the government really is serious about reducing the cost of school uniform for parents, then this is an ideal opportunity for them to demonstrate their intentions."
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