VAT Increase Will Hurt the Most Vulnerable in Society

BRIAN HAS SLAMMED THE GOVERNMENT’S VAT INCREASE, SAYING IT WILL HURT THE MOST VULNERABLE IN SOCIETY.

This increase is regressive and will hurt those on modest and low incomes the most.

The rise to 20 per cent will be a disaster for workers in both the public and private sectors many of whom are currently facing a pay freeze.

The rise is going to make so many day-to-day essentials more expensive and for people on fixed incomes such as pensioners the burden will be even greater.

At a time when the Northern Ireland economy is still in recession it is a reckless gamble by the Government to make the majority of goods and services more expensive.

“The rise will have a bigger impact on small businesses than big retail firms. It is a considerable blow to small traders as they will be badly hit and they will find it particularly difficult to cope. It will be another increase in costs that they will have to take into account when they trade.”