Lib Dem Action on Vat nets taxpayers over £1million+ windfall

5.46.37pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 13th Feb 2006

West Berkshire Council has won a windfall from the VAT-man after a decision, taken when the Council was under Lib Dem control, to join three other Councils to challenge the VAT man over VAT taken by the government on local car park charges

Cllr Owen Jeffery, Shadow Executive member for Highways, commented: "I am delighted that we have won the case with the VAT commissioners. The Lib Dems believed it was important to get the law on this issue clarified. I believe that the Conservatives should consider putting their parking charge increases on hold in light of the potential upside from a VAT decision.".

VAT is charged at 17.5% and most Parking Charges are set to rise according the Conservative budget by around 17%.