The Optical profession is to submit a claim the European courts requesting the EEC to institute legal proceedings against the UK Government. They believe that the UK Government is acting illegally in imposing VAT on the Dispensing element of the Sale of Spectacles from the 1 June 2001.

The professional Bodies also claim that they will not absorb the cost of the increase as the VAT officers have suggested. One prominent Optician has stated that he intends to give each of his patients a letter explaining that the increase of 10% in the price is due solely to the imposition of the new VAT, and suggestion that they write their respective MPs asking them to refund the VAT which they believe has been collected illegally.      # 25 Mar 2001