ALEX BRUMMER: Britain MUST remain open for business 

ALEX BRUMMER: With much of the world’s air traffic grounded and non-essential shops in England trapped in a second lockdown, Britain MUST remain open for business Bicester Village, Oxfordshire been magnet for tourists from China & Asia-Pacific  Alex Brummer warns it is bad time to suspend VAT refunds for overseas visitors  ‘Flies in the face … Read more

End of UK duty-free will cost ‘billions’, say Gucci and Tiffany

End of duty-free ‘will cost billions’: Luxury goods firms including Gucci and Tiffany warn that ending VAT refunds will hit UK economy hard Rishi Sunak is ending VAT refunds for international visitors to British shops   It is estimated the move could cost the economy up to £3.5billion   11 leading luxury firms have written to Chancellor … Read more

Covid-19 lockdown will ‘decimate’ UK’s hospitality industry says Manchester’s Lowry Hotel manager

The new lockdown will ‘decimate’ the UK’s hospitality industry – and it won’t begin to recover until the spring, says manager of Manchester’s five-star Lowry Hotel Adrian Ellis has called on the government to extend furlough beyond December He also says cut in VAT to 5% for the hospitality industry should be extended  Overnight stays and … Read more

Top think-tank warns Rishi Sunak to avoid ‘act of self-sabotage’ over taxes

Increasing taxes to pay for the Covid crisis would be ‘an act of self-sabotage’ which would derail Britain’s economic recovery, Rishi Sunak was warned last night. The Chancellor has repeatedly signalled that tax rises will be needed to repair the battered public finances. With Britain’s national debt topping £2trillion for the first time and borrowing … Read more

Kurt Geiger boss calls decision to axe duty-free shopping ‘ludicrous’

Boss of fashion giant Kurt Geiger slams Rishi Sunak’s decision to axe duty-free shopping as ‘ludicrous’ Kurt Geiger boss Neil Clifford has slammed decision to stop duty-free shopping He has called the ‘ludicrous’ decision to end VAT refunds a ‘staggering own goal’ Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the proposed policy change in September  By Francesca Washtell … Read more

Kurt Geiger boss calls decision to axe duty-free shopping ‘ludicrous’

Boss of fashion giant Kurt Geiger slams Rishi Sunak’s decision to axe duty-free shopping as ‘ludicrous’ Kurt Geiger boss Neil Clifford has slammed decision to stop duty-free shopping He has called the ‘ludicrous’ decision to end VAT refunds a ‘staggering own goal’ Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the proposed policy change in September  By Francesca Washtell … Read more

Think tank urges Rishi Sunak to slash and simplify taxes

Rishi Sunak must CUT and simplify taxes to revive the economy after hammer blow from coronavirus lockdown, warn economists Institute of Economic Affairs report calls on Rishi Sunak to reform tax system It suggests Chancellor can learn the lessons from recent history to boost growth Report calls for income tax to be capped at 40 … Read more

Think tank urges Rishi Sunak to slash and simplify taxes

Rishi Sunak must CUT and simplify taxes to revive the economy after hammer blow from coronavirus lockdown, warn economists Institute of Economic Affairs report calls on Rishi Sunak to reform tax system It suggests Chancellor can learn the lessons from recent history to boost growth Report calls for income tax to be capped at 40 … Read more