Is this an unfair VAT Tax?

You did inky speak of the elderly with no mention of young disabled people

I've only just seen your last post, granddaughter
Your OP talked about older people and didn't mention younger sick /disabled people at all.
I find your implication that those who have posted on this thread uncaring to be offensive.
I suspect your motive for posting in the first place was to provoke responses which you could then claim were uncaring.

Grandaughter VAT is an unfair tax in that poor people pay the same rate as rich people for everything from sanitary towels to clothing to a meal in Macdonalds.
Why have you got such a bee in your bonnet about travel insurance?

I shall get off the subject that was very important to other older people, but seemingly not the grans on this page, incidentally I did cover all disabled and sick people and not just the elderly.

I still believe it be an extra unnecessary tax upon the sick and disabled who have to meet that extra cost.

I know of a couple both in their 70's who often take a 12 week holiday to Malta during the winter months, they seem to get very reasonable all inclusive deal, and must be saving on heating.

Personally, I can't think of anything that I would like less, but each to their own!

The poor cannot afford to travel abroad, the poor can't afford I ho,I dsy in this country

Actually Grandaughter you are wrong; nobody on here said that the poor should not be travelling abroad. While I appreciate that you feel the vat on TI is unfair, it is unfair for everyone, not just the elderly. I still maintain that the reasons for better health in those who go on holiday is because they also have the income to also eat better, enjoy hobbies, keep their homes warm.

Many on here do face the trials and tribulations of ill health, and it is unfair to dismiss all as comfortably off, complacent or of thinking " I'm alright Jack, sod you."

Thanks for all the comments, I just felt the views expressed yesterday that individuals with poor health should not be penalised in having to pay more for Travel Insurance (TI) by incurring 20% VAT, ( incidently TI is not for just for abroad it is now common for UK Tours and other types of Travel needs), was a decent reasonable view.

Because I am presently in good health my travel insurance is low, I can also afford a good range of holiday abroad, but I don't want to put the possiblity of a holiday abroad out of the reach of people in lower income brackets or sick or disabled because of carrying even further additional costs .

I believe it would be a very selfish of me to ignore the additional VAT on those extra premiums that the disabled and those with failing health presently are forced to incur, I wonder if that is fair tax on the sick?

I am sorry, but I cannot agree with the views expressed that the poor should not be travelling abroad. What about those who want to visit family members, friends or even take a short break, they all require the desirability to travel with insurance cover? How often do we see adverts highlighting far cheaper breaks than here in the UK, then find the sick and disabled are expected to add a considerable further tax amount because they are unfortunate in having poor health

The majority of disabled people and individuals with poor health well understand the cost of the extra insurance cover, that is a fact of life for most of them. What is difficult is understanding why the Government imposes an even further heavy VAT costs upon their extra premiums.

It surprise me how many abled bodied tend to ignore the burdens of ill health and disablity and those individuals desparate for a fuller ordinary life style. Far to often the more fortunate of us take for granted our own comfortable life styles and ignore the difficult lifestyles others face through no fault of themselves.

To ignore such needs reminds me of the saying "I am OK alright Jack, sod you".

That 's not for me, thank God!!!. Remember none of us know what is round the corner, financially or health wise , it could chage over night.

Agree with others on this subject,if we can afford the foreign travel we can afford the travel insurance.

I can't follow your logic granddaughter
but 82% of older people do not fall into the wealthy category unless they release tied up property assets
So you are advocating a tax break for the 18% who are classed as wealthy, at the expense of the less well off?
I agree with alea and annie, that the VAT on travel insurance for foreign holidays is a very small part of the cost of a foreign holiday.
After all, older people can take holidays whenever they like, compared to families who have to go in school holidays and pay a premium. The extra cost to families taking their holidays during the school holidays must far outweigh the VAT on travel insurance.

I do agree with Alea. One can keep active by walking in one's own area, a holiday abroad is not a necessity for fitness, a decent diet, a warm home are to avoid malnutrition and hypothermia

The discussion yesterday highlighted those who were able to take holiday breaks were the least likely to need hospital and care needs by keeping active

I would suggest that this group also includes the socio economic group who statistically make fewer demands on the NHS bcause of better nutrition throughout their lives, healthier lifestyles and in many cases private health insurance either as retired employees still entitled to company schemes or privately funded.
No.There are much more urgent needs to be met by the elderly on fixed and/or reduced incomes - heating, food, safe transport, and meeting bills, than holiday insurance. Travel abroad doesn't come all that cheap, so for those who can afford it, the element of insurance should not rule it out. Let's face it, holidays in the UK would not involve the sort of travel insurance quoted. Unrealistic IMHO.

Surely by definition, those retired people who are able to afford a holiday are also able to afford to heat their homes properly, eat well, socialise etc, all of which are proven to help with mental and physical health in older age. I dont agree that there should be exemption of vat on older people's travel policies, what about younger people with serious health conditions? They will also pay hefty premiums plus vat and could possible have less income than someone retired. I do not wish to throw cold water on your campaign, but the impending threat of the loss of AA to future generations of retired people will be more serious, for more people.

Suppose it is a choice between needs, a holiday or heating a home , which need is greater

Janeainsworth,

Appreciate your views, but 82% of older people do not fall into the wealthy category unless they release tied up property assets. The discussion yesterday highlighted those who were able to take holiday breaks were the least likely to need hospital and care needs by keeping active. Public Health England highlighted the considerable saving on NHS and Council expenditure, so there is another side to the coin on this subject. In the SW the report today highlights the number of older people living in poverty has increased particularly in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, so we need to also focus on those aspects as well.

The VAT is presumably going to pay for things that we all need, like the NHS, schools, roads etc.
If you remove VAT on travel insurance for older people, that could be seen as yet another perk along with free TV licences, bus passes, winter fuel allowance.
It would also be seen as a perk for wealthier old people who can afford to go on holiday anyway.
So no. I don't think it's unfair.
I speak as someone who has to fly to the States to see my DS, DiL and 2xGC and I'm very much aware of the fact that this may over time become unaffordable.