The Parliamentary debate to put to case the reinstatement of tax-free shopping to the Treasury is taking place today, Thursday 7 September at 3pm. The 90-minute debate will be held in Westminster Hall and opened by Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP.
Watch Live: Tax-free shopping Parliamentary Debate
New West End Company has been tirelessly campaigning for the return of tax-free shopping since it was abolished when the U.K. left the EU on the 1st January 2021. We are the only major European country not to offer the benefit of tax-free shopping to international visitors. We know from conversations with our members, that this is negatively impacting retail, restaurants, hotels and leisure businesses across the West End and beyond. This debate is a milestone, not only for the New West End Company and our members, but for the entire tourism ecosystem.
Speaking on the debate our Chief Executive Dee Corsi said
“The Treasury has the opportunity to reinstate tax-free shopping, with a net positive effect on government tax revenues, and providing a much-needed injection of growth into the economy. It would encourage businesses to continue to invest in the U.K., safeguard existing jobs and create a more competitive trading environment”.
Dee Corsi, Chief Executive of New West End Company
Click here for all the supporting information on the debate.
to watch the debate live on Parliament TV from 3pm. Click here
