Give the people their money back.
That message was sent to Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler earlier today by Opposition Member of Parliament Mia Mottley.
It came on the heels of Sinckler going to the House of Assembly to table a first reading of the Value Added Tax (VAT) (Amendment) Bill 2012, which would keep Government’s extension of the VAT to 17.5 per cent until further notice.
In Sinckler’s 2010 budget, the minister had indicated the increase from 15 to 17.5 per cent was a temporary measure and would be reviewed.
But today’s tabling means Government plans to keep the new VAT rate in place for some time.
Mottley made it clear she was against such a decision and urged Sinckler to immediately return the money he had taxed on the entertainment and travel allowances of hundreds of middle-income Barbadians during the same 2010 budget.
Full story in the MIDWEEK NATION
