Extract from Transport Questions duty Free - Mar 11
Friday, 12 March 2021 08:19
Amy Callaghan (East Dunbartonshire) (SNP): Duty free arrival was
not part of the Government’s post-Brexit consultations, despite
industry stakeholders asking for it to be introduced. The Tory
Government decision to end VAT-free shopping schemes for travellers
will cost hundreds of jobs across Scotland. Establishing arrival
duty free outlets could offset some of that. Can the Minister tell
the House whether he lobbied the Chancellor prior to that decision?
If so, will he continue to push the...Request free trial
(East Dunbartonshire) (SNP):
Duty free arrival was not part of the
Government’s post-Brexit consultations, despite industry
stakeholders asking for it to be introduced. The Tory Government
decision to end VAT-free shopping schemes for travellers will cost
hundreds of jobs across Scotland. Establishing arrival
duty free outlets could offset
some of that. Can the Minister tell the House whether he lobbied
the Chancellor prior to that decision? If so, will he continue to
push the Treasury to change its view and save jobs?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
():The hon. Member will understand that there
had to be a change on that taxation regime at the end of the
transition period. All taxation matters are a matter for the
Treasury. They are kept under review by the Chancellor at all
times, and I am sure he has heard very carefully what she
said.
(Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP) [V]:
It is simply not good enough. The Office for National
Statistics confirmed that aviation has been hardest hit. This
Government promised a sector deal but then did not deliver, barring
a last minute and somewhat diluted version of the uncapped business
rates relief available in Scotland. Let us recap: ending VAT-free
shopping at airports and refusing to consider arrival
duty free the most indebted
aviation sector in the world, now about a third smaller with
thousands of jobs gone; and now EU cargo and chartered airlines
operating in the UK without reciprocal rights in many EU
countries—this Government have utterly failed aviation and its 1
million workers, have they not?
: This is a Government who stand foursquare
behind aviation, which is a real mark of global Britain. As I said,
we have seen approximately £7 billion-worth of support going to the
aviation sector. Through the global travel taskforce we will be
expanding horizons even further. Most recently, the consultation
has been announced on air passenger duty, which I note has not
happened in Scotland.
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