Reply to: Article 50 won't be triggered this year under Gove

[Old Greg]

Who cares what the economy is worth in $ terms. Its the overall standard of UK living that is important.

I wonder if there is a relationship between the two.

[BrilloPad]

The UK has the 56th largest economy:

France overtakes Britain as world’s fifth largest economy as Brexit fears hit markets | Home News | News | The Independent

The gnomes of Zurich strike again.

Who cares what the economy is worth in $ terms. Its the overall standard of UK living that is important.

[BlasterBates]

The UK has the 56th largest economy:

France overtakes Britain as world’s fifth largest economy as Brexit fears hit markets | Home News | News | The Independent

[Mordac]

Why is it unenforceable? Most of money made from downloads are made by a handful of known companies, they had to charge VAT for a long time OR they don't get sales at all.

At least those were EU rules, maybe if UK is on its own then those big companies would not bother...

I'm only speaking from personal experience. Buying a shedload of Microsoft MCSE (NT4 - showing my age ) stuff from Barnes & Noble over the net from the US was about a third of the price compared to buying from the UK. ($200 as opposed to £500+). Factor in the favourable exchange rate at the time (late 90's) it was a no brainer. When it came to MS 2000, I bought the whole lot online, cost me $60. I didn't give a monkey's wotsit whether they charged or paid VAT. If you don't get the whole "dog eat dog" thing, that's fine, but if you feel uncomfortable, maybees you is in the wrong country what has nasty capitalist people in it.

[AtW]

An electronic copy is either a download or sent via email, therefore unenforceable and therefore irrelevant.

Why is it unenforceable? Most of money made from downloads are made by a handful of known companies, they had to charge VAT for a long time OR they don't get sales at all.

At least those were EU rules, maybe if UK is on its own then those big companies would not bother...

[Mordac]

Unless it's an electronic copy. Then it's 20%.

An electronic copy is either a download or sent via email, therefore unenforceable and therefore irrelevant.

[AtW]

Unless it's an electronic copy. Then it's 20%.

Electronic copy is not a book!!!

It's like photo of a painting isn't the same as painting.

[tomtomagain]

Books are 0% VAT rated and I believe no custom duty either.

Unless it's an electronic copy. Then it's 20%.

[AtW]

Thats why I highlighted the "no customs duty either" bit of your post...

You are aware that customs duty might be 0 even on items greater than £135?

There is a very long list of products that have varying levels of duties depending where they come from, VAT is by far more important - 20% and it is taken from very small amount, not for printed books though.

[DaveB]

You have to pay VAT of 20% on much lower thresholds -

" gifts worth more than £34
other goods worth more than £15"

Thats why I highlighted the "no customs duty either" bit of your post...

[AtW]

It's also based on the value of the items. Anything below £135 attracts no charge.

Most other things will end up in customs waiting for you to pay import duties and VAT before they are released.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/overview

You have to pay VAT of 20% on much lower thresholds -

" gifts worth more than £34
other goods worth more than £15"

[BlasterBates]

The main trade barrier if not in the single market will be the bureaucracy associated with selling goods. For example:

Selling food to China - Doing Business in China

[DaveB]

Books are 0% VAT rated and I believe no custom duty either.

It's also based on the value of the items. Anything below £135 attracts no charge.

Most other things will end up in customs waiting for you to pay import duties and VAT before they are released.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/overview

[AtW]

I never have any trouble buying books from the US.

Books are 0% VAT rated and I believe no custom duty either.

[OwlHoot]

TBH, I think it's rather pointless debating it further on here. There are respected authorities on both sides of this. My personal view (aligned with Lord Lisvane, for example) is that they absolutely can exercise prerogative power, if they wish, but that it would not be politically expedient to do so.

I think that's right, and they could always ask Parliament to retrospectively approve it (which, as you say, wouldn't go down too well as by then it would be an irremediable fait accompli)

In terms of triggering Article 50 quickly, that would be stupid. Aside from the consolidation and planning that we need to engage with, it's one of our few bargaining chips. ..

The other thing to bear in mind that this may not be just between the UK and the EU indefinitely. If continuing uncertainty starts causing domino effects that significantly affect other countries such as the US or China, there may be rapidly increasing pressure to resolve the issue faster than might suit us or the EU.