I seem to recall yonks ago VAT was lauded as a tax on "luxuries" rather than everyday things..It is a scandal it's added to basic utilities heating  etc even at a lower rate..

A tax on food ,I'll  be at the barricades with my pitchfork and torch!

http://www.savethechildren.org...families-hardest.htm


just a little link here if anyone wants to read

Depends where you live in the country,the heating allowance is much appreciated up here in Scotland we can be 10 degrees colder etc than the south of England in winter and the bleedin' summer!.My nieces grandad lives InFort William  in the Highlands he'll be 82 this year,he has no central heating so he has to rely on electric heating,far costlier than gas.

that was purchase tax, the precursor of vat.