Which businesses, which border counties ?

That’s a most courageous stance to take, Madam Economics Spokesperson (as Sir Humphrey may have put it):

Sinn Féin Economics spokesperson, Martina Anderson, MLA has called for the harmonisation of VAT across the island of Ireland.

Ms Anderson said: “The Irish government’s decision to increase VAT from 21% to 21.5% is a regressive measure likely to cost families up to €250 next year. This eats into the budgets of working families struggling to cope with the prospect increased public service charges and other taxes such as the income levy.

“In addition the increase will have an adverse effect on consumer spending hitting hard small to medium sized businesses. In recent weeks I have advocated a 2% reduction in VAT to boost the incomes of low and middle income earning families and enhance consumer spending.

“However border county businesses are now facing a double hit following the government savage budget as they tackle the impact of the British government’s decision to reduce the rate of VAT across a range of items to 15%.

I’m not sure the small retailers of Newry and her home city would wholeheartedly agree with Ms Anderson on this one...