The Anonymous Widower

Thoughts On Handrails

Transport for London and their various predecessors have always been very particular about handrails on stairs in stations and also on buses. Here’s some examples.

But are we that particular in our homes. I put this handrail on my stairs.

The Handrails On My Stairs

And I put extra hand holds in my bathroom.

A Handhold In My Shower

I feel very strongly that when you fit rails and hand holds for safety reasons, that you should not have to pay VAT on the hardware and the work. Especially, if as in the case of the handrail on the stairs bloody Jerry should have put them in when he built the house.

My MP agrees and she has written to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

I suspect in the case of my professionally-designed and Sheffield-built handrail, the biggest objections to removing VAT will come from those snake oil-salesmen, who get the elderly and disabled to buy unnecessary stair-lifts.

An interesting point, is that probably quite a few premises that have to fit extra handrails and handhold are commercial premises, like offices, restaurants and shops, who of course would be registered for VAT.

July 13, 2015 - Posted by AnonW | World | Health and Safety, Tax