SCOTLAND'S trades union leader has accused the UK Government of giving low-paid workers "a slap in the face" by refusing to keep VAT off PPE.
The levy was left off medical grade face masks and other personal protective equipment as a result of the pandemic. It was lifted in May amidst a shortage of the essential gear.
But the items will cost one fifth more from November as the Treasury ends the VAT suspension.
That comes after an earlier extension which ran from August until the end of this month and is predicted to cost the £255 million to the Treasury.
But Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has called the move "abhorrent", claiming it will put extra strain on low-paid workers.
She said: "It is abhorrent that, eight months into this pandemic, the UK Government would chose to reinstate VAT on personal protective equipment such as face masks.
"It's as if they've conveniently forgotten that we are currently in a second wave of the virus and that people are required to wear masks to protect themselves and others.
"With many people across the UK out of work, navigating our inadequate social security system or on reduced hours, a reinstatement of VAT for products to simply keep ourselves and others safe is disgraceful.
"This 20% rise in cost will hit frontline workers and those who travel to work on public transport the most. Some of our lowest paid and most undervalued workers will be hit hardest by this decision, a slap in the face after everything they have done for us all during this pandemic."
The VAT break applied to disposable gloves, plastic aprons and fluid-resistant coveralls or gowns, face masks and filtering face piece respirators as well as eye and face protection.
The Treasury says its reapplying VAT because of the stabilisation of the cost and supply of PPE.
But Foyer said: "As cases begin to rise, the government should be doing everything they can to ensure that as many people as possible are consistently wearing masks. Reinstating VAT on personal protective equipment flies in the face of that. Extending the VAT holiday until the pandemic is over is the morally right thing to do."
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