Motorcycle safety - petition reply
28 April 2008
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Remove VAT on all motorcycle clothing, not just helmets, to encourage the wider use of protective motorcycle clothing."
Details of Petition:
"Motorcycle helmets are already VAT exempt because they categorised as mandatory safety equipment. As a step towards improving road safety for motorcyclists; a reduction in cost of other protective clothing to encourage it's use. This should stop short of making such clothing mandatory whilst promoting recognition of the benefits of this equipment."
Read the Government's response
VAT is a broad-based tax on consumer expenditure generally and reliefs from it have always been strictly limited. When the UK joined the European Community in 1973, it meant signing up to the general agreements which covered the application of VAT throughout the EC. Under these and subsequent agreements, signed by successive governments, we can keep our existing VAT zero rates, on items such as motorcycle and pedal cycle helmets, and certain protective boots and helmets for industrial use, but we can not extend their scope or introduce new ones. This means that we can not remove VAT from items of protective motorcycle clothing.
Thanks for posting this up wiccan I was just about to do it, I can't find my original posting about the petition.
I don't recall any of us being asked if we wanted to join the EC but then I was only 15.
Yer Kwak I was a mere nipper too 10/11 at the time but even then I said no good would come of it! lol wish I could predict the lotto numbers as accurately lol, interesting point about vat on crash hats though think I'll look into that more closely when buying my new lid..........
![Government Response to VAT removed from m/c clothing... - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8mobileLQ.jpg)
![Government Response to VAT removed from m/c clothing... - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8desktopLQ.jpg)
