British Dyslexia Association calls on the government to extend the removal of VAT on digital publications to audiobooks

British Dyslexia Association calls on the government to extend the removal of VAT on digital publications to audiobooks

Recently, the Chancellor announced VAT will no longer be charged on digital publications from the start of December. Rishi Sunak's announcement in the Budget brings e-books into line with printed publications, which are already exempt from VAT.

However, it does not extend to audiobooks, which will continue to be charged VAT. Given that many people with dyslexia find this a great way to access literature in way that isn’t possible through text, the British Dyslexia Association is joining calls for the additional 20 percent cost barrier to be removed for these, bringing them into line with other literary mediums.

Helen Boden, CEO, British Dyslexia Association, said: “We welcome the government’s announcement that VAT will be abolished on e-books and digital publications. The features commonly embedded in these, like changing the colour of the page and font, and adjustable text size, can make reading easier for many people with dyslexia.

“Although it is disappointing that the government has chosen not to extend this announcement to include audiobooks. For many people with dyslexia, audiobooks give access to literature in a way that isn’t possible through text, whether digital or paper based.

“Adding VAT to audiobooks, when it isn’t applicable to other types of book, is discriminatory to many people with dyslexia and the government should extend this announcement to encompass books in all mediums. It isn’t fair to tax someone more because they assess reading in a different way to others.”

During the coronavirus pandemic, Audible is offering free streaming on a select number of children’s stories for use on desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.