This petition was submitted during the 2015–2017 Conservative government
Petition Reduce VAT on bottled water from 20% to 0% in crackdown on sugary drinks
In the current health crack down on sugary drinks in the fight against obesity, what is the sense of VAT at 20% on bottled water while conceding 0% VAT on cake?
Silicawaters.com want VAT on bottled water zero rated in line with other EU countries like France which levies a rate of 5%.
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The reason HMRC gives for imposing 20% VAT on bottled water is that it is a non-essential item, seeing as tap water in the UK is VAT free. While cake of course is essential eating!
But in the health war on obesity and the forthcoming sugar tax on drinks, might it not be an incentive for parents, instead of a pricey bottle of pop, to send their children out with a trendy bottle of water, sensibly lowered in price by a fifth for healthy living?
Help water down VAT on bottled water!
This petition closed early because of a General Election Find out more on the Petitions Committee website