VAT on FAT
Added: (Sun Aug 15 2004)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Contact:
Kim Lewis
Huskyz Ltd
01206 523652
press@huskyz.com
www.huskyz.com
VAT on FAT
Or
Why should outsize kids pay a fat tax?
Colchester, Essex, 15th August 2004
The UK Government argue that outsize children’s clothes should be subject to the normal 17.5% VAT, whilst other kids’ clothes are zero rated. Since April, Huskyz Limited, a web retailer of plus sized clothes for kids, has been fighting the UK Customs and Excise in Southend, Essex to have plus size children’s clothes zero rated in the same way as ‘normal’ kids clothes, because they believe that outsize children should not be penalised for their difficulties.
According to Government statistics, 30% of the UK population of dependant children is overweight or obese. Whilst Huskyz Ltd fully supports the government’s efforts to improve the health of this sizeable minority of the population, they also consider that these kids are also entitled to wear fashionable and comfortable clothes whilst they are still overweight, so improving their self esteem, eventually leading to the suspension of comfort eating.
Of course, cynics may say that 17.5% of the lucrative childrenswear spend is quite an earner for Her Majesties Government. But in this case, Huskyz believes that it is petty bureaucracy that is spoiling the chance for plus size kids to fit in with their peers.
Huskyz Limited have kept their designs within the height stipulated by VAT for children up to the age of 14, and despite they themselves arguing that;”it is not the eventual age of the wearer that is important, but the intent of the designer that matters”, (Chairman VAT Tribunal, Smart Alec Ltd LON/01/1307), they still argue that Huskyz garments are not suitable only for young children.
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Regardless of being assured that the garments were only designed for plus size children and are held out for sale on a website servicing only young children, they argue that the garments are not designed for children under 14. Meanwhile, Huskyz Ltd is going ahead with the manufacture and supply of these garments in the hope that many children will benefit, and that the decision of the VAT Policy Advisor can be overturned. There has already been a question asked in the House by Colchester MP Bob Russell, and Huskyz will be presenting the results of an online poll to Customs and Excise to support their case.
Huskyz Online (the online presence of Huskyz Ltd) hopes to go live by mid September 2004 with a range of casual clothing and school uniform designed specifically for plus size kids under the age of fourteen.
For a copy of this release and any further information contact
Kim Lewis (Managing Director)
Huskyz Ltd
01206 523652
077 8626 1814
press@huskyz.com
www.huskyz.com
Huskyz Limited is the idea of a mum who found it impossible to find trousers for her sturdy son, in the high street or online (worldwide). Work began in February 2004 to design and manufacture garments for plus sized kids of either gender. Encouraged by support from the ‘big’ community she formed Huskyz Ltd, developed a website for ecommerce and included a community resource page to help parents of overweight kids support each other. Although yet unfinished, the site is up and running and awaiting the arrival of the first items of stock.
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