In the UK at least a lot of "basic" things are exempt from VAT, although the rules are quite complex: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rates-of-vat-on-different-goo

In the UK at least a lot of "basic" things are exempt from VAT, although the rules are quite complex: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rates-of-vat-on-different-goods-and-services https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rates-of-vat-on-different-goods-...