Andrew George prompted a small ripple nine days ago when he put forward an amendment to part of the finance bill demanding that ministers assess the social impact of the VAT rise. Meanwhile two other Lib Dem MPs made a symbolic vote about an element of the bill that night.
This Tuesday, a week later, there seemed to be no further rebellion from the MPs in yellow.
Except that Mr George (along with four other Lib Dems MPs*)put forward four amendments, one of which was an attempt to exempt charities, public authorities and people living in small homes. For some unknown reason the MP for St Ives withdrew his motion on Tuesday night. Why?
(1A) The amendment made in subsection (1) shall not apply to:
(a) purchases of goods or services made by registered charities;
(b) purchases of goods or services made by public authorities;
(c) renovations of dwellings in council tax bands of F or below; and
* Roger Williams, Mark Williams, David Ward, John Leech.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey
