Supply-side - Tourism VAT

You may or may not know that a campaign is running to persuade the government to boost tourism by cutting tourism VAT. The requirement to come to an agreement with the DUP to support the government has moved this forward. Look at the figures, they are not small! However, can we be sure they are accurate?

BREAKING NEWS!   Tourism VAT is on the agenda for the Government as part of the Confidence and Supply arrangement agreed by the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland.  As set out in the agreement, made public yesterday: A detailed consultative report will be commissioned into the impact of VAT on tourism in Northern Ireland to recommend how best to build upon the growing success of that sector This comes after the DUP made a reduction in Tourism VAT a manifesto pledge. We think this is a good start and that a detailed study into a Tourism VAT cut for Northern Ireland, which competes with Ireland for custom where the rate is just 9%, will show that a reduction in Tourism VAT should be implemented across the UK.  Speaking about the news, our Campaign Chairman, Dermot King said yesterday:   "The benefits would be felt most keenly in coastal and rural areas in need of regeneration.  We look forward to submitting our extensive research to the government outlining the positive impacts of a reduction.” I am confident the findings of this consultation will show that Tourism VAT should be reduced to 5% across every part of the UK, creating 121,000 jobs, increasing UK export earnings from tourism and bringing in £4.6bn to the Treasury over 10 years."   The Campaign to Cut Tourism VAT will input into the consultation on your behalf and keep you updated as the consultation progresses. Encouraging your MP to support Cut Tourism VAT The Campaign has support from politicians of all political parties. We currently have the support of 120 MPs. Please check this list to see if your MP already support us and if not, do contact them asking them to join up. You could use our new Financial Highlights document which sets out all the compelling reasons for reducing Tourism VAT in an easy to read format.

If you'd like to discuss this further or get in contact with the campaign, please email Chris@Cuttourismvat.co.uk