AIR tells Rachel Reeves – use tax-free shopping to kick-start growth
Tax-free shopping (TFS) is a fast and cost-free way to kick-start growth in the economy. That’s the message AIR is promoting to Rachel Reeves as the King’s Speech puts economic growth at the heart of the Labour Government’s first term missions.
AIR’s TFS briefing for the Chancellor builds on the Government’s manifesto commitment on growth and shows how the Conservatives missed the opportunity of creating a new £10bn tourism market by ending tax-free shopping rather than extending it to visitors from the EU.
The briefing shows how the previous government's TFS costing forecasts have been discredited by new data and research.
The King's Speech highlighted the importance of the Office for Budget Responsibility in assessing all budget related forecasts. AIR points out how none of the original 2020 forecasts were scrutinised or certified by the OBR.
The briefing calls on the Chancellor to order a review of the 2020 cost forecasts as a prerequisite to restoring tax-free shopping. AIR has circulated the briefings to all relevant ministers and their officials, and is seeking meetings with the new Government to make the case for restoring tax-free shopping.
You can see the briefing here.
The Times calls on the Chancellor to restore tax-free shopping
The Times published an article promoting tax-free shopping by the Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, using AIR data, followed by a letter from AIR’s Chief Executive and then a Leader article calling on the Chancellor to restore tax-free shopping. You can see them here.
AIR intensifies engagement with the Labour Party, the London Mayor and the regions
During the General Election campaign, AIR and our members met with several parliamentary candidates from central London constituencies. We discussed the importance of the international visitor sector and tax-free shopping to their constituencies. We are working with our Board members to organise a roundtable for these MPs to discuss how best to promote tax-free shopping to the new Government.
AIR also continued our engagement with the London Mayor and his office. With central and London government now politically aligned, we are working with the Mayor's team to continue his campaign to promote the international visitor sector and the reinstatement of tax-free shopping, which is now included in the London Growth Plan.
AIR is planning a UK regional roundtable programme to promote and explore the value of the sector to local economies and mobilise support for tax-free shopping from across Britain.
AIR plans Labour Party Conference Roundtable
AIR has partnered with the New Statesman to host a roundtable with key ministers and politicians at the Labour Party Conference in September to discuss the importance of the international visitor sector to economic growth and the need to restore tax-free shopping.
AIR partnering with industry leaders to promote the international visitor sector to the Labour as a key growth area
AIR is partnering with the UK’s key inbound visitor organisations to promote to the Labour Government the importance of the international visitor sector to the UK's economic growth, with the reintroduction of tax-free shopping suggessted as a quick win for Government.
Calling on businesses - add your name to an open letter to Rachel Reeves
Julia Carrick and James Chapman are organising a new letter from businesses to the Chancellor. You can read the letter here.
Please add your name to the letter by contacting Julia at Julia@juliacarrickluxury.com