Tories pledge to bring back tax-free shopping for tourists
Summary
The Conservative Party has promised to bring back tax-free shopping for tourists from outside the European Union. They believe this will help shops, hotels, and restaurants by attracting more visitors and spending.Key Facts
- The tax-free shopping scheme, called the VAT Retail Export Scheme, was ended for non-EU visitors in 2021.
- The scheme allowed tourists to get back the VAT (a sales tax) on items bought in Great Britain and taken home in their luggage.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the scheme's return could bring more customers and spending to UK businesses.
- The party plans to reintroduce the scheme for non-EU tourists first and may extend it to EU visitors later if it proves successful.
- They plan to cover the scheme’s costs by cracking down on "NHS health tourism" and using savings set out previously.
- Research suggests the scheme could attract up to 2.35 million extra visitors and increase spending by £4.1 billion.
- The British Retail Consortium supports the move, saying it could boost jobs and investment across the UK.
- Labour criticized the Conservatives for changing their position and questioned how they will pay for the scheme.
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