Representatives of Scotland’s business community have joined forces to call on the UK Tory Chancellor to restore a tax-free shopping incentive for international tourists which would help Scottish businesses.
The campaign, led by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) and the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland (FSB Scotland), seeks to:
1. Level the playing field as other countries such as France see visitor spending recover faster than the UK.
2. Reverse the economic damage as shops lose out on £1,500 million a year as non-EU visitors take spend elsewhere; and
3. Work with the Chancellor to introduce a competitive scheme which could boost the economy by £10,000 million.
Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Director & Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The Chancellor has a clear opportunity to show the UK is open for business.
“It is now indisputable that the removal of tax-free shopping has damaged UK’s retail offering and has disincentivised international tourists from spending whilst in the UK.
“We cannot be left trailing behind, and this policy must be reversed.”
