http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12106168

Since I intend to cut back on most stuff (yes, even the Coke), I'll have only myself to blame if it doesn't work out now

How about you?

PS. Check out the by-election candidates in that link

Bothered enough to fill up the car when it was only half empty today.
Did a bit of food shopping too.

Labour Fail
They wanted to cut services less and tax more. How can he whine about a tax rise?

Yes, in that it makes the cost of living higher for those who can least afford it.

That said, currently, I can claim VAT back on some business-related purchases, so as far as tech and stationery is concerned there's no real change for me.

Instead of picking on the plebs to "pay for the deficit" - which is the Tory way, frankly - the government should be chasing after the big businesses that trade in this country but manage to avoid paying their dues because their head offices have mysteriously moved offshore. Companies like Boots, Vodafone, HSBC, Cadbury/Kraft...

Get all of them to pay the corporation tax they have avoided paying, and there would be little need for cutting libraries, schools, hospitals and stuff. It's just getting those comfortably-off bastids in charge to see sense instead of dogma.

+6 billion (Vodafone tax alone)...

That's an "urban myth" don't you know

I agree with closing tax loopholes and avoidance schemes, frankly the government should have these businesses over a barrel.

They can't all the time there are lucrative positions open on boards...

To be honest, I didn't really notice a difference when we had the 2.5% drop in VAT the other year, and I didn't really notice when it went back up...I'm not sure I'll notice it on a day-to-day basis, it'll be the big purchases that'll show it IMO.

What I know is that it's going to cost me more money to fill up the petrol tank in my car with petrol than it did last week, which means that I'll be paying more to get to work where I shall earn exactly the same amount as I was earning last week...

What he said. I don't plan on making any huge purchases in the near future so that's less of an issue but this is adding at least a couple a of quid a week to my petrol bill.

Jon

It does depend on where the tax increases were aimed. A big increase in capital gains tax will have raised much more and made the economy less susceptible to property bubbles in future. Though the coalition government have not grasped that nettle. Simplifying taxes and making them harder to avoid would have been just as effective. The coalition being as right wing as it is will always opt for regressive taxes because their big backers prefer taxes that avoid hitting the rich.

Does it really matter if it bothers me or not? There's nothing to be done about it now, because it's going to happen regardless.
I could letter bomb the tax office and it still wouldn't stop it from happening.
Death and taxes, death and taxes.

Mark

In the early days of the VAT drop, it was nice to get to the checkout and find that what you'd bought was cheaper than it said on the shelves, but let's be honest, it was usually pennies.

If you are already paying just over £100 for something, let's face it, who's going to worry about the extra £2.50?

Yes, it's nice if you don't have to worry about things, but if you can afford to pay the price of any item, the extra VAT isn't going to kill you you, no more than the temporary cut was anything other than a joke.

I was desperately trying to think of something I wanted to buy with the money I got for Christmas, and the only thing I could come up with right now was a camera bag. With offers, I could have got it for £35 and saved myself about 80p on the VAT and yet I haven't bought it and have therefore saved myself £35.

Edit: Let's face it, it will add to the cost of everything, through increases in fuel costs, but as road fuel is so heavily taxed already, it will be a drop in the ocean.

What we have to know is a: Will it genuinely help out the country's financial situation? and b: is it here for good? If the answer to b: is yes, then the next time there's a problem, it will be going up to 22.5%!

All those extra 2.5p increments will soon add up. It's on fuel - that includes electricity and gas - so those big ticket spends you've held off may make you feel that you've dodged a bullet by not spending that way, but those are geerallyone offs. It's the regular stuff you buy which will accrue the mist VAT in the long run.

Other half has a pay freeze for two years. This means with inflation taken into account that she will be taking acstealthy pay cut. Add in the VAT increase, you get less being bought for more money.

That's what the accountants want you to think. Clever wording and magical numerical juggling....