Did you know that most MP’s like to leave early on a Thursday?

Hannah_Alumni

This is because most MP’s have events, surgeries or other meetings in their constituencies on Friday’s. And we all know what travelling back from London can be like.

But what does that mean for debates at Westminster on a Thursday afternoon? Well… most are not well attended.

Hemel Hempstead MP and former Minister for Disabled People, Sir Mike Penning, is campaigning to abolish VAT on audiobooks.

He has now secured a Westminster Hall debate on the subject at 3pm on Thursday, 15 June 2023.

A Thursday afternoon…

Audiobooks are now widely available across all genres; from business to academic, from historical to self-help, and they offer a lifeline for many people with sight loss, visual impairment, dyslexia or other reading disabilities.

They offer opportunities for visually-impaired and dyslexic people to improve their education on a par with their peers and in many cases enable visually-impaired and dyslexic people to continue working independently for longer and thereby contribute to the economy for longer.

But, unlike written books, audiobooks attract VAT at 20%. In 2020, the Government scrapped VAT on e-books because of the coronavirus outbreak, so we know it can be done.

It is now time to extend that to audiobooks as well.

For this debate to have any impact, we need as many MPs as possible to attend.
If you support this campaign, please drop your MP a quick email asking them to attend. You can find details of your local MP here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

We can make a difference!

66Mustang

I am really dim when it comes to politics as it does not interest me so sorry if this is a stupid question.

What happens if, say, only 5 MPs attend a debate and 4 of them vote for something?

Does it go ahead on the basis that 80% agree, or are the absent MPs consulted?

I'd say maybe the former would be a good idea, to encourage MPs to attend debates if they want their opinion to count!

rustledjimm

There have been times a government has lost a vote because people did not turn up.

Hannah_Alumni

This debate will allow MP Sir Mike Penning to gain more support and spread awareness amongst MP's and possibly, get more signatures for it to then be put forward.

Hannah_Alumni

For anyone interested, there is a transcript of the debate on the Parliament website 

woodbine

If this is as I suspect a "private members bill" it sadly sees little chance of becoming law (or a change in the law) unless it gains government support and they seem busy doing anything but good.

Hannah_Alumni

@woodbine, I hope it does! Many arguments, in particular, relating to children's education and broadening their interests. I would have loved to have more audiobooks as a kid. I found reading and listening together was pivotal in some of my classes.  

rebel11

The only time I hear from my MP is when there is a General Election, that's such a coincidence, I think he'll have to retrain.    

Hannah_Alumni

Back in January, Sir Mike Penning spoke further on scrapping the VAT on audiobooks. 

Here is the link: Sir Mike Penning calls on Government to remove VAT from audiobooks | Sir Mike Penning MP - Member of Parliament for Hemel Hempstead (penning4hemel.com) 

What are your thoughts? 

Grinchy

i hope it happens, it is definitely a good idea, fingers crossed it gets through

Albus_Scope

I'd be very happy with that, I do love my audiobooks.  

Hannah_Alumni

I hope it happens too!

In an article published in 2020 by the BBC they reported: 

A study by The Publisher’s Association found 54 per cent of UK audiobook buyers listen to them for their convenience, while 41 per cent choose the format because it allows them to consume books when reading print isn’t possible.

So, it goes to show how much of a necessity they can be for people with disabilities.