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Exiting the European Union (Excise)
03 February 2021
Lead MP
Gavin Newlands
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationBrexitBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Gavin Newlands raised concerns about exiting the european union (excise) in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Supports the extension of duty-free shopping for people travelling to the EU but opposes the withdrawal of the VAT retail export scheme and the airside extra-statutory concession, arguing that it represents a real threat to thousands of jobs across Scotland and the UK. The Treasury's own consultation showed an overwhelming majority against abolition, yet the modelling undertaken by HMRC is fundamentally flawed, missing supply chain considerations and underestimating the use of RES.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Critiques the Treasury's decision for not considering indirect impacts on businesses outside retail, ignoring fiscal implications, and failing to engage with devolved governments. Calls for a sustainable future for airports, advocating for arrivals duty-free as it would support jobs and cross-subsidise other operations.
Liverpool, West Derby
Welcomes the extension of duty-free sales to UK residents visiting EU and supports its impact on regional airports. Emphasises the return of personal allowances for alcohol purchases from abroad as a positive economic measure.
James Murray
Lab Co-op
Ealing North
Critiques the Government's late decision-making regarding VAT-free shopping, highlighting its negative impact on jobs and sectors across the UK. Questions the adequacy of economic assessments before the decision was made.
Natalie Elphicke
Con
Dover
Welcomes the return of duty-free and its benefits to ports, ferry companies, and cruise ships. Emphasises the economic boost it brings to regions like Dover, recalling personal experiences from youth travels across the English Channel. Acknowledges both gains and losses in travel post-pandemic but sees opportunities for rebooting hospitality and travel industries.
Lisa Cameron
SNP
East Kilbride and Strathaven
Expresses concerns about the impact of scrapping VAT retail export scheme on textile and fashion industry, particularly in Scotland. Highlights the economic importance of shops and local businesses during the pandemic and warns against a predicted 7.3% decrease in non-EU visitors due to this decision. Argues that the move hinders efforts to level up the economy out of the pandemic. Emphasises the ripple effects on tourism and jobs, urging Government support for retail recovery.
Miriam Cates
Con
Penistone and Stocksbridge
Supports fair tax system that does not grant wealthy international travellers relief from local taxes. Argues against VAT refunds for consumer goods purchased in the UK, stating it is reasonable to expect visitors to pay a small amount. Emphasises preventing loss to the tax base of £1.4 billion and spreading benefits across the whole UK. Welcomes duty-free sales for UK residents visiting EU as part of statutory instrument changes.
Neale Hanvey
SNP
Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
Aviation was severely impacted by the pandemic, leading to job losses and economic downturn. The UK Government's lack of strategic response is alarming, especially with plans to remove VAT exemption on airside sales which will significantly harm revenue at Edinburgh airport (£7.6 million loss), threatening jobs and exacerbating the already fragile state post-Brexit.
Jacob Young
Con
Redcar
While acknowledging the concerns, I support the changes to duty-free shopping as part of the post-Brexit VAT framework. These measures ensure fairness for all travellers and have minimal infrastructure costs. Teesside airport's recovery demonstrates the benefits of targeted investment, with duty-free shopping soon returning to benefit local economies.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
The decision to scrap tax-free shopping for overseas visitors is misguided, causing significant damage and economic hardship. This move contradicts the Government's consultation findings, harms regional airports like Glasgow's (£8.6 million loss), and undermines tourism. The measure is economically illiterate and should be reversed to support jobs and recovery.
Anthony Browne
Con
Westbury
Welcomes the measures on duty-free changes and travellers' allowances, supporting their return for popular reasons despite economic inefficiency. Advocates for a quadrupling of the alcohol allowance due to its popularity and support for free trade. Supports abolishing the retail export scheme due to its lack of value and fairness.
Richard Thomson
SNP
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Critiques the changes as harmful to jobs, tax revenues, and tourism. Argues that tax-free shopping supports a large number of jobs in retail and manufacturing, and its removal will cost jobs and harm direct and indirect tax revenues. Outlines the impact on regional airports, with Aberdeen airport facing potential revenue loss of £1.6 million annually and 45 job losses.
Duncan Baker
Con
North Norfolk
Supports the statutory instrument as it scraps unnecessary VAT retail export scheme paperwork, reduces bureaucracy and provides duty-free sales to UK residents. It is a welcome move for regional airports and enhances inbound alcohol allowances.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Opposes the statutory instrument due to its detrimental impact on tourism, retail sector, and jobs. Removal of VAT-free shopping could cost £6 billion annually to national coffers and affect 70,000 immediate jobs.
David Linden
SNP
Glasgow East
Supports the annulment motion due to potential job losses in Glasgow airport with an estimated revenue loss of £8.6 million from scrapping airside concession and 170 retail jobs at risk.
Felicity Buchan
Con
Kensington
Concerned about the abolition of VAT RES as it affects tourism and manufacturing jobs in her constituency. She cites statistics showing that non-EU international visitors spend £17 billion, with only £2.5 billion in tax-free shopping. She warns that these shoppers are highly mobile and could move to other European cities like Paris or Milan if UK remains the only country not offering tax-free shopping.
Douglas Ross
Con
Moray
Agrees with Buchan's concerns but focuses on the impact on Scotch whisky distilleries and wool producers in his constituency. He cites a Walpole Group estimate that 40,000 jobs could be lost due to this decision. He emphasises that VAT-free shopping accounts for over 50% of revenue in Johnstons woollen mill's London and Edinburgh stores, and losing two-thirds of this revenue would make these stores non-viable.
Kemi Badenoch
Con
North West Essex
Britain’s departure from the EU allows for reforms such as duty-free sales, which were consulted widely. These measures reduce border bureaucracy and support UK travellers with cheaper goods while aligning with WTO commitments by treating passengers equally regardless of their travel destination.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
The Minister's response does not address the concerns of airport and retail sectors adequately. The move could impact jobs in constituencies across the UK, and it is concerning that no immediate review is promised by the government to mitigate these issues.
Government Response
The measures will boost airports dealing primarily with EU travel and ensure a more equitable distribution of benefits. The withdrawal of VAT RES is estimated to save £1.84 billion over five years, while the introduction of duty-free sales will cost £890 million but support consumers and airports across Great Britain.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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