Tax threat to blind

A tax rule being introduced by the Government will force many blind people to pay VAT on white sticks and Braille products, a leading charity said last night.

The Royal National Institute for the Blind warned "a significant number" of blind people will be disadvantaged by the new order which comes into force on New Year's Day.

The rule has been formulated by Customs and Excise to combat private hospitals and NHS Trusts who have been legally avoiding paying the tax.