Kemi Badenoch Pledges Return of Tax-Free Shopping
· World · The Independent, BBC News
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has promised to restore tax-free shopping for international tourists in the UK by reversing a 2021 VAT refund policy change. Business leaders in retail and hospitality have endorsed the plan, arguing that the current policy makes the UK less competitive compared to European destinations. The Tories suggest the cost of the policy could be offset by cracking down on health tourism and potentially extending the scheme to EU visitors. Official data from 2024 indicates that while visitor numbers have recovered, real-terms spending remains 8% below pre-pandemic levels.
Why it matters
The proposed policy change aims to boost the UK's tourism and retail sectors by encouraging higher spending from international visitors.
Read the original report — The Independent
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