Cut Tourism VAT launches Northern Ireland research

Following Westminster’s decision in June to conduct a consultation on Tourism VAT in Northern Ireland, the campaign attended ‘Tourism VAT NI: Next Steps Forward’ alongside Hospitality Ulster and the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation. The event showcased the national benefits of a cut in Tourism VAT for Northern Ireland. Vernon Hunte, Campaign Manager, said: ‘This economic model…..Read more

The view from the Chairman

Dermot King, the chairman of the Campaign to Cut Tourism VAT, wrote a comment piece in Travel Weekly, arguing for Tourism VAT to be cut to 5% to bring Britain in line with competitor destinations. The full text and a link to the article is below. Tourism is a strategic industry for the UK economy;…..Read more

Bob Seely MP asks for UK wide study on reduction in Tourism VAT

Last week, the new Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight, Bob Seely MP asked the Government to investigate the benefits of a reduction in Tourism VAT in the United Kingdom as a whole. Andrea Leadsom MP, the Leader of the House of Commons, recommended that he applies to hold a debate about how coastal communities like the…..Read more

How would a cut in Tourism VAT help small businesses?

Harry Acland of Notgrove Holidays shares his story, which illustrates vividly how a cut in Tourism VAT would help small or medium sized enterprises (SMEs) like his. Put simply, the current tax environment has made operating the small hospitality business managed by my wife and I in the Cotswolds almost unsustainable. Increasing business rates and high VAT on tourism…..Read more

Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP quizzed about Tourism VAT

Yesterday, during a Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) oral questions session in the House, Alistair Carmichael MP (Lib Dem, Orkney and Shetland) referenced our campaign when asking Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP (Conservative, Staffordshire Moorlands) about whether she is discussing a reduction in Tourism VAT with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Alistair is a vocal…..Read more

DUP deal: Government to commission report on Tourism VAT in Northern Ireland

Today it was announced that as part of the Conservative-DUP deal, a detailed consultative report will be commissioned into the impact of Tourism VAT on Northern Ireland. VAT on tourism was a key issue in the negotiations. The Republic of Ireland currently enjoys a 9% Tourism VAT rate, compared to a rate of 20% in Northern…..Read more