Britain enjoys a zero rate of value-added tax on newspapers, magazines and books (and children's clothing). Elsewhere in the European Union varying rules apply but books are frequently taxed (e.g. Ireland - corrigendum - silly me, see comment below). The EU, in its predictable way, would like to simplify (i.e. dictate standard terms) tax rules across Europe and the European Commission has opened a political debate on the subject. Fortunately the British Government has promised to resist change to the current system and we can only hope this is a promise they intend to keep.

But I have a further question. If it is important not to tax reading (which I support) why does the Government think that taxing on-line reading makes sense? Readers have to pay VAT on on-line subscriptions and purchases of digital downloads. If we could liberate these from tax it could make a huge difference to the speed of adoption of digital information and make very little difference to budgetted tax revenues.

The Guardian reports that being a librarian is among the least stressful jobs (along with postmen and hairdressers). I can well believe it but perhaps a little bit more stress would improve the library service? It's worth checking out Katherine Rushton's blog about this (and other library matters in the future).