Brexit benefits: tax and cost of living

Tax and cost of living: the benefits

1. 25

   The 'tampon tax' scrapped

   The 5% VAT on sanitary products was abolished. EU rules then required a minimum rate; they changed later.

   Only possible outside the EU1 Jan 2021Source: HM Treasury

2. 26

   Zero VAT on solar panels, heat pumps and insulation

   Cuts the cost of making homes cheaper to heat.

   Made easier by leaving1 Apr 2022Source: HMRC

3. 27

   Alcohol duty based on strength, with lower duty in pubs

   Draught relief means a lower rate on beer and cider served in pubs, which EU rules did not allow.

   Only possible outside the EU1 Aug 2023Source: HM Treasury, Alcohol Duty reform

4. 28

   Duty-free shopping on trips to the EU

   Travellers from Great Britain to the EU can again buy duty-free alcohol and tobacco.

   Only possible outside the EU1 Jan 2021Source: HMRC

5. 29

   Freeports with UK-designed tax and customs incentives

   Special zones to attract investment to ports such as Teesside, Humber and Plymouth.

   Made easier by leavingFrom 2021Source: HM Treasury; MHCLG

6. 30

   An EU motor insurance ruling removed

   The EU's Vnuk ruling extended compulsory motor insurance to vehicles used on private land, such as golf buggies and quad bikes. Ministers estimated that removing it from British law spared drivers about £50 a year.

   Only possible outside the EU28 Jun 2022Source: Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Act 2022; Department for Transport

More topics: Sovereignty and law · Trade · Borders and immigration · Tax and cost of living · Business and finance · Health and science · Farming, fishing and nature · Tech and data · The full selection of 52

The numbers match our full selection of 52 Brexit benefits. We only list changes that are in force or signed, with a date and a primary source. "Only possible outside the EU" means EU law or EU exclusive powers would have blocked it. "Made easier by leaving" means it was possible in principle but faster or simpler outside.