Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Fabricant Excerpts
Tuesday 11th February 2020

(4 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that there are benefits associated with extending the zero rate of VAT in this area, as in others. The task for Government is to work out what is the right thing to do, all things considered. All I can say is that we have responded to the Cairncross review in part of this area, and we continue to keep all taxes under review, especially in the lee of a budget.

Michael Fabricant Portrait Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)
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While agreeing with the point made for the SNP by the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Martyn Day), does the Minister not find it somewhat ironic that the only way we can reduce the rate of VAT to zero is through Brexit, yet the SNP wishes to remain in the EU, and we would therefore not be able to reduce VAT if that were the case?

Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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That is a very telling point, and I draw the House’s attention to the parallel issue of sanitary products for women, on which I am pleased to say we will be able to act after we have left the EU.