Closed petition CHILD BENEFIT CUTS AND VAT ON CHILDREN'S CLOTHING

Closed on 15 August 2012

In view of the current financial situation, abolishing all child benefit would save the country approximately £12 billion a year, plus ending all the other subsidies and credits that encourage human procreation. With a population of 62 million and rising rapidly and nearly 3 million unemployed, why encourage the birth rate even more? Some of the money saved could be channelled into providing free contraception and sterilisation.

Also a high rate of VAT should be applied to children’s clothing, shoes and nappies and also on cruelty goods like meat, wool and leather. I would suggest a luxury rate set at say 40%. Some of the money here could be used for animal welfare purposes.

So not only will the country's financial problems be solved, but a reduction in population, a better quality of life, less damage to the environment and improved welfare for animals. A win all round.