TakeVAT

TakeVAT strikes again

Becky — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:11:12 +0000

TakeVAT, the group which caused disruption at Heathrow two weeks ago, has struck again. This morning they "subvertised" an advertising billboard on a busy South London street as part of their ongoing campaign to highlight the fact that the aviation industry pays no VAT.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Cameron said, "When VAT has just gone up to 20% for the rest of us, it is unfair that one of the dirtiest and noisiest industries in the world doesn't pay any."

Rumour has it that TakeVAT have come out of yours truly, Plane Stupid. They plan more UK-Uncut type actions as part of their ongoing campaign.

Main board text

NO VAT on new *Aircraft. We pay VAT. Why don't they?

The aviation industry pays no VAT. Officially. There is no VAT charged on airline tickets or the purchase of aircraft. It is simply unfair that one of the dirtiest and noisiest industries in the world pays no VAT when it has gone up to 20% for all of us and for the rest of business and industry. We take direct action to highlight this injustice.

Twitter @takeVAT

Video of Take VAT action at Heathrow airport

Anna — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:13:35 +0000

Chaotic scenes at Heathrow airport as police chase protesters round the terminal building. By the time they were chucked out - there point had clearly been made. Big ups to You and I Films for this one. Read the full action report here.

Take VAT targets the aviation industry

Barry — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:46:25 +0000

Protesters descended on Heathrow and Leeds/Bradford Airports today in a coordinated attempt to highlight the fact that the aviation industry pays no VAT.

In a protest modelled on those recently seen at Oxford Street stores like Vodafone and Topshop, over 100 campaigners from TakeVAT and other direct action groups such as Plane Stupid ran around terminal 3 at Heathrow airport 'confiscating items'.

The campaigners were symbolically 'confiscating' items such as luggage trolleys and toilet roll, to highlight the fact that there is no VAT on airline tickets, the purchase of planes or on spare parts for aircraft.

In January VAT rose to 20%. Hard working families across the country are being hit hardest by the rise whilst the aviation industry - which is mainly a habit of the rich, remains a special case and is completely exempt.

In Leeds around 20 protesters targeted Leeds/Bradford Airport. As soon as they arrived off the bus they were met by a handful of police and scuffles broke out as the protesters tried to reach the terminal building. In the end they managed to sit down together to make their point heard just outside the main terminal building.

Spokesperson for TakeVAT London, David Nivens said:

"It is simply unfair that aviation pays no VAT. Why should one of the dirtiest and noisiest industries in the world get away scot-free when ordinary people are charged VAT on basic necessities like toilet rolls?"

Spokesperson for TakeVAT Leeds, University of Leeds student Joseph Blake said:

"As the government imposes austerity measures on hard working families across the UK, the aviation industry gets away with £9 billion a year in VAT tax exemptions. We took action today in solidarity with the London protests and to demand the government put people first, and not climate criminals like the aviation industry".