Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Portrait

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

Conservative - The Cotswolds

First elected: 9th April 1992


Restoration and Renewal Programme Board
23rd Feb 2023 - 11th Jan 2024
Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill
25th Jan 2023 - 1st Feb 2023
Finance Committee (Commons)
30th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Public Accounts Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Finance Committee (Commons)
20th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill (Commons)
7th Jul 2015 - 22nd Feb 2016
Finance and Services Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Committee of Selection
23rd Jun 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Committee of Selection
21st Jun 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Liaison Committee (Commons)
19th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Administration Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 14th Nov 2011
Shadow Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
27th Jul 2009 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development
2nd Jul 2007 - 6th May 2010
Committee of Selection
27th Sep 2005 - 6th May 2010
Finance and Services Committee
17th Jul 2005 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
8th Dec 2005 - 2nd Jul 2007
Opposition Deputy Chief Whip (Commons)
10th May 2005 - 8th Dec 2005
Shadow Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government)
1st Dec 2001 - 1st Jul 2004
Administration Committee
16th Jul 2001 - 12th Nov 2001
Shadow Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Jan 2001 - 31st Jul 2001
Broadcasting
1st Jun 2000 - 1st Jun 2001
Opposition Whip (Commons)
1st Jan 1999 - 1st Jan 2001
Public Accounts Committee
25th Jul 1997 - 2nd Jul 1999
Environment
27th Apr 1992 - 21st Mar 1997


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has voted in 794 divisions, and 9 times against the majority of their Party.

25 Mar 2021 - Coronavirus - View Vote Context
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 35 Conservative No votes vs 305 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 484 Noes - 76
4 Nov 2020 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 308 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 516 Noes - 38
13 Oct 2020 - Public Health: Coronavirus Regulations - View Vote Context
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Conservative No votes vs 298 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 299 Noes - 82
2 Jun 2020 - Proceedings during the Pandemic - View Vote Context
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 240 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 185 Noes - 242
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 369 Noes - 126
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 258 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 385 Noes - 100
30 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 72 Conservative Aye votes vs 175 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 188
7 Mar 2023 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 107 Conservative Aye votes vs 109 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 116 Noes - 299
16 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 262 Conservative No votes vs 57 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 58 Noes - 525
View All Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(14 debate interactions)
Matt Hancock (Independent)
(10 debate interactions)
Rishi Sunak (Conservative)
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
(9 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Leader of the House
(21 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(15 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Agriculture Act 2020
(1,935 words contributed)
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022
(1,772 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Geoffrey Clifton-Brown's debates

The Cotswolds Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

21st February 2024
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown signed this EDM on Wednesday 21st February 2024

No confidence in the Speaker

Tabled by: William Wragg (Conservative - Hazel Grove)
That this House has no confidence in Mr Speaker.
91 signatures
(Most recent: 4 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 45
Scottish National Party: 41
Plaid Cymru: 3
Independent: 2
11th December 2023
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 13th December 2023

In memory of Margaret Payne

Tabled by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
That this House commemorates the life and achievements of Margaret Payne; acknowledges the huge contribution of £434,562 to the NHS, NHS Highlands, Highland Hospice and RNLI raised through her tremendous fundraising efforts; notes that Margaret raised this money by climbing her stairs 282 times over 73 days or 10 weeks, …
6 signatures
(Most recent: 18 Dec 2023)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 2
Scottish National Party: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Conservative: 1
View All Geoffrey Clifton-Brown's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


2 Urgent Questions tabled by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

Tuesday 8th March 2022
Thursday 15th July 2021

1 Adjournment Debate led by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

Wednesday 27th April 2022

2 Bills introduced by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown


A Bill to require residential developers to meet minimum standards of provision for insulation, broadband connectivity and electric car charging points in new homes; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 30th June 2020
(Read Debate)

A Bill to allow British citizens resident overseas for more than 15 years to vote in UK Parliamentary elections and referendums; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 2nd December 2014

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
14th Dec 2020
To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church of England has made of the potential merits of establishing an app to enable contactless donations to be given via a QR code in the context of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Church of England’s central purchasing facility ‘Parish Buying’ has been rolling out electronic and contactless giving across the parishes and cathedral since 2018. Parish Buying has negotiated a discounted rate for churches to take online donations given through GiveALittle. Nearly 2,000 churches have set up GiveALittle accounts so far.


The national Church is funding premium membership of this service for all parishes, enabling people to make gift aid declarations and to make regular monthly donations online. The GiveALittle system allows a church to publish a giving page or make a QR code available to enable people to give quickly and simply. Guidance for parishes is available here.

Training is available online for parishes on many giving issues, including online giving, and there is extensive guidance on both Parish Buying and Parish Resources websites. GiveALittle also has an app available for contactless devices, and this enables the public who may wish to donate to churches to continue to make donations. This year the Church will begin the rolling out of free contactless devices to half Church of England parishes, and many have already installed them following the successful trials in 2018.

Andrew Selous
Second Church Estates Commissioner
17th Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether wedding ceremonies will be unrestricted after the end of the Government roadmap from 21 June 2021; what restrictions will apply to wedding ceremonies during the phased return from 17 May to 21 June 2021; and what restrictions will be applied to sporting events from 17 May to 21 June 2021.

Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships was published on 22 March and can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships#wedding-and-civil-partnership-ceremony-venues

We recognise that any restrictions on wedding venues may be disappointing for those planning such events, but we have to take necessary steps to limit transmission of COVID-19. This includes the closure of some settings and restrictions on social contact, including wedding and civil partnership ceremonies. By their very nature, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are events that bring families and friends together, making them particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate the sacrifices people have had to make across the COVID-19 pandemic and we do not wish to keep any restrictions in place longer than we need to.

In the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, the Government has set out the gradual and cautious approach to reopening in England, guided by science and the data, including the staged return of weddings and civil partnerships, as well as sporting events.

In order to inform the pace and sequencing of the roadmap, the Government commissioned advice and modelling from SAGE and its sub-groups. Scientific evidence supporting the government response to coronavirus is regularly published here - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/scientific-evidence-supporting-the-government-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
13th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to enable the early resumption of (a) clay shooting and (b) target rifle shooting after the covid-19 outbreak.

It is vital that people continue to be active during the Covid-19 outbreak to support their physical and mental health.

On 11 May, Government published updated guidance on lockdown measures, including updates on how people can remain active. Since Wednesday 13 May, people have been allowed to go outside more than once a day for exercise as long as they are following social distancing guidelines, alone, with members of their household, or with one person from outside of their household. People must still only exercise in groups of no more than two people, unless they are exercising with their household.

All outdoor sports and physical activities are now permitted, without time limit, including outdoor shooting, with the exception of swimming in an open-air swimming pool. This does not apply to individuals’ private swimming pools within their own homes.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
4th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to research by the University of Sydney, published in the Natural scientific journal on 20 June 2022, what assessment his Department has made of the validity of the finding that a fifth of all food-related greenhouse gas emissions come from transporting edible products.

The Government’s recently published Net Zero Strategy sets out our plans to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions. This includes a range of policies and actions to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including methane) from within the food system from farm to fork.

For example, ruminant livestock are the leading cause of food methane emissions, but feed additives with methane inhibiting properties have the potential to reduce emissions, especially from housed cattle. Whilst this is an emerging technology, the Government is actively investigating the promising role these products may have in delivering emissions savings in the medium term.

More broadly the Government will support the agricultural sector to decarbonise through the schemes set out in the Agricultural Transition Plan, which aims to support farmers to adopt low greenhouse gas emission farming practices and increase the carbon stored on their farms, helping to improve business productivity and profitability gains.

The Government also supports the work of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), whose Courtauld 2030 voluntary agreement includes a target to reduce GHG emissions across the food supply chain. Periodic estimates of UK household food waste levels are undertaken by WRAP with government funding with the next estimate reporting year being 2022/23.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
4th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to research by the University of Sydney, published in the Natural scientific journal on 20 June 2022, if he will take steps in response to that research that found a fifth of all food-related greenhouse gas emissions come from transporting edible products.

The Government’s recently published Net Zero Strategy sets out our plans to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions. This includes a range of policies and actions to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including methane) from within the food system from farm to fork.

For example, ruminant livestock are the leading cause of food methane emissions, but feed additives with methane inhibiting properties have the potential to reduce emissions, especially from housed cattle. Whilst this is an emerging technology, the Government is actively investigating the promising role these products may have in delivering emissions savings in the medium term.

More broadly the Government will support the agricultural sector to decarbonise through the schemes set out in the Agricultural Transition Plan, which aims to support farmers to adopt low greenhouse gas emission farming practices and increase the carbon stored on their farms, helping to improve business productivity and profitability gains.

The Government also supports the work of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), whose Courtauld 2030 voluntary agreement includes a target to reduce GHG emissions across the food supply chain. Periodic estimates of UK household food waste levels are undertaken by WRAP with government funding with the next estimate reporting year being 2022/23.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
19th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his timeframe is for implementing secondary legislation to reform rights of way.

The Government has decided to take forward a streamlined package of measures to implement rights of way reform including repealing the 2026 cut-off date to record historic rights of way, as well as giving landowners the right to apply to divert or remove rights of ways in specific circumstances. These measures, along with accompanying guidance, will be implemented as soon as reasonably practicable.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the costs of establishing and operating Border Control Posts for the inspection of plants and other horticultural products.

Border Control Posts (BCPs) are not being built or operated by the UK Government. The Government has provided generous funding to help local authorities construct and operate BCPs. This includes up to £200 million in grant funding from the Port Infrastructure Fund and Defra has provided £14 million to help recruit and train staff to support the checking regime.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
18th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Northern Ireland Protocol on the horticulture sector in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain.

The Northern Ireland Protocol obliges both the UK and EU to seek to streamline processes for trade between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI), and to avoid controls at NI ports as far as possible. In line with that obligation, through technical engagement with the European Commission, the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive have developed helpful practical arrangements to simplify checks and controls on goods to the maximum extent.

The Scheme for Temporary Agri-food Movements to Northern Ireland currently in place allows authorised traders, such as supermarkets and their trusted suppliers, to move a large proportion of agri-food goods from GB to NI without the need for official certification, until 1 October 2021. Exporters of fruit, vegetables or cut flowers from GB to the EU or Northern Ireland, may also be eligible for the Plant Health Exports Audited Trader Scheme. Under this scheme, exporters are able to complete their own inspections and apply for phytosanitary certificates to be issued, which means checks take place at a time which suits them and avoids the need for official on-site inspections of each consignment.

The Government has also put in place the Movement Assistance Scheme. This scheme means that businesses moving plants, plant products or agricultural machinery from GB to NI do not need to pay for the fees associated with inspections and issuance of the phytosanitary certificates. Defra will monitor the performance of the scheme and review it after three months to determine how to best provide ongoing support to traders.

In line with announcements made by the UK Government at the beginning of March, it is now much simpler to move plants with soil and growing media attached from GB to NI. This will remain the case whilst engagement with the European Commission continues to develop appropriate, risk-based arrangements for the long-term.

Despite horticultural goods being eligible for some of these arrangements, comprehensive data on the movement of such goods between GB and NI is not available. However, total trade in Defra related goods between GB and NI is estimated to have recovered after a brief dip in January. Overall horticultural businesses have adjusting well since the end of the Transition Period and are trading effectively.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
18th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) potential merits of introducing a trusted trader scheme for importers of ornamental horticulture products and (b) the role such a scheme could play in providing value for money for tax payers.

As the phased introduction of EU-GB plant health import controls is completed in early 2022, Defra is exploring possible options for performing plant health controls away from the border on a longer term basis, such as increased uptake in the use of designated plant health control points, or a trusted trader scheme for checks at destination. We would consult on any long term option with industry, to ensure that our high standards of biosecurity are maintained.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
18th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the preparedness of Border Control Posts for the import inspection of horticulture products.

Since 1 January, high-risk plants have been inspected at their places of destination. Defra is confident that the Border Control Posts (BCPs) will be ready to start physical inspections of high-risk plants and plant products when the new regime of checks commences on 1 January 2022. The BCPs will be ready to start physical inspections of low-risk plants and plant product checks from March 2022.

Defra continues to work directly with ports and airports to prepare the necessary infrastructure, staff and IT systems for SPS checks to be completed. We continue to monitor port BCP delivery and will support ports to achieve an initial operating capability as import controls are phased in.

The phased implementation reduces risk of BCP infrastructure not being ready and provides Port Health Authorities, importers, hauliers, exporters and their agents, sufficient time to prepare and familiarise themselves with these new requirements.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
13th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to enable the early resumption of shooting after the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government has said people can now leave their homes for the purposes of open-air recreation in public open spaces to promote their physical or mental health or emotional wellbeing. What counts as “open-air recreation” is not defined in the regulations but would include shooting. The regulations define public open spaces as:

(a) Land laid out as a public garden or used for the purpose of recreation by members of the public;

(b) land which is "open country" as defined in section 59(2) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, as that definition has been extended by section 16(1) of the Countryside Act 1968;

(c) land which is "access land" for the purposes of Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (see section 1(1) of that Act)

The Government has published guidance on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation. Outdoor sports courts and other outdoor sporting activities are permitted to reopen if those responsible for them are ready to do so and they can do so safely, following public health guidance. This can be found on the GOV.UK website at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-phased-return-of-outdoor-sport-and-recreation

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
26th Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will hold discussions with the Environmental Agency on reducing levels of raw sewage discharged into (a) main and (b) non-main rivers by water companies.

Ministers hold regular discussions with the Environment Agency (EA), on all environmental issues including water quality. My officials also regularly meet with their EA colleagues to discuss waste water management, including sewage discharges.

In England, the majority of the sewerage system is ‘combined’, meaning that sewage is collected along with rain water run-off. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the sewerage system operate to reduce the risk of sewer flooding of homes and land during heavy rainfall. To prevent discharges, between 2015 to 2020 water companies are installing monitors on up to 13,000 of the 15,000 CSOs in England. These will measure how often and for how long they operate, helping inform where improvement works may be required and providing information to the public about spills. This information has been used to help develop the environmental programme that the water companies will be implementing over the next five years, which includes almost £4 billion of investment to reduce pollution from sewage.

All discharges from CSOs require a permit issued by the EA, containing conditions to protect the environment. The EA has the powers to take action if water companies breach their permits and cause harm to the environment.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish her Department's response to the Wild Justice Challenge on the effect of rearing gamebirds on Sites of Special Scientific Interest; and if she will make a statement.

Defra can confirm that the Secretary of State will make a statement shortly. In summary, in response to a pre-action protocol letter from Wild Justice (WJ) in July 2019, last September Defra accepted in its reply that in principle the release of non-native gamebirds on, or affecting, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) could constitute a “plan or project” requiring appropriate assessment under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive. Whether they will actually do so in any given case will depend on whether they may have a significant effect on the specific SPA or SAC in question. This will depend in turn on the nature of the activities, the features and condition of the SPA or SAC, the distance from the SPA or SAC where the activities are carried out and the possible effects of the activities. While not accepting the argument that current laws do not provide for appropriate assessment in such cases, we proposed to undertake a review to consider the legislative arrangements around the relevant activities and whether there were ways in which their effectiveness could be improved.

WJ’s recent pre-action protocol letter of 20 January 2020 essentially demanded that the Secretary of State should provide the timetable and terms of reference for the legislative review and confirm that the Secretary of State will proscribe or regulate gamebird releases within 5km of any SPA or SAC before gamebird introductions commence in Summer 2020. Defra confirmed in its response to WJ that work on the review is underway and that we will announce further details in the coming weeks. Defra confirmed that the review will include, though will not be limited to, consideration of the section 28E Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 consenting process and the use of Special Nature Conservation Orders in relation to non-native gamebirds release, specifically common pheasant and red-legged partridge, as well as exploring other possible options that might be used so that such releases can be subject to appropriate assessment where appropriate.

Defra explained that the object of the review is to identify the most suitable approach, and that the Secretary of State will not take any steps that pre-empt the outcome. Given the scope of what is involved, Defra stated that it is not in its view reasonable nor realistic to expect measures to be implemented before summer/autumn 2020.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
23rd Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Mayor of London on trends in the numbers of passengers on Transport for London's underground network in the last 12 months.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). Under the terms of the current funding settlement, TfL provides the Department with regular data on passenger demand which is monitored and discussed at regular reporting and governance meetings.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
23rd Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Mayor of London on the regularity of underground trains in London.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). Policy decisions, including on service levels for the London Underground, are a matter solely for them.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
20th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many train services were operated by each train operating company (a) in October 2023 and (b) 12 months ago.

The number of trains planned by train operating company by rail period is published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on a periodic basis: Table 3124 - Trains planned and cancellations by operator and cause (periodic) | ORR Data Portal.

This currently covers up to 16 September 2023; data on the trains planned for October 2023 will be published next month.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
20th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many train operating companies provided a 24-hour service (a) in October 2023 and (b) 12 months ago.

Most operators do not offer 24 hour services. On most routes there is little demand and important infrastructure inspection and maintenance activities take place overnight with most operators leaving a gap in service of three to four hours overnight. Govia Thameslink Railway, Transpennine Trains and Great Western Railway provide overnight services on key routes.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
15th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to give recipient countries as much notice as possible on the (a) number and (b) arrival dates of covid-19 vaccines that are planned to be sent by the UK Government.

The Prime Minister has announced that the UK will share 100 million C-19 vaccine doses within the next year, of which 30 million will be delivered by the end of 2021. 5 million doses will be shared by the end of September, starting in the coming weeks, and 80% of these vaccines will go to COVAX. This was part of an agreement with G7 partners to donate 1 billion doses by June 2022.

Decisions on which vaccines will be shared will be based on the continued reliability of supply chains, regulatory restrictions, and advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. We will set out more detail in due course, including the number and type of vaccines, as well as estimated dates of arrival.

15th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to prioritise Commonwealth countries when donating covid-19 vaccines overseas.

The UK has consistently stressed that we are all facing the same pandemic, and the threat of further waves and variants of the coronavirus makes cooperation with all our partners ever more vital and important.

Our G7 Presidency has championed equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, and on 11 June, the Prime Minister announced that the UK will donate 100 million C-19 vaccine doses within the next year, 80% of which will go to COVAX, the scheme to ensure vaccines are available affordably for everyone, including Commonwealth countries. The UK was one of the earliest and largest donors to COVAX, donating £548 million to the Advance Market Commitment. So far, COVAX has helped deliver over 81 million doses to 129 countries and territories. We will set out more detail on the prioritisation of our dose sharing in due course.

2nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what further steps the Government can take to protect BNO passport holders who do not wish to move from Hong Kong.

The UK will not look the other way on Hong Kong, and we will not duck our historic responsibilities to its people. We will continue to bring together our international partners to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out the violation of their freedoms, and to hold China to their international obligations.

16th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the UK component within the report by the European Anti-Fraud Office alleging large-scale embezzlement of the EU International Development aid intended to assist refugees in the Tindouf camps.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) report on food aid in Tindouf refugee camps was undertaken from 2003, drafted in 2007 and released in 2015 following an intervention by the EU Ombudsman. The European Commission has taken measures to address the findings documented in the OLAF report. The European Commission has found no evidence of aid diversion since these measures were put in place and it has taken measures to ensure that aid continues to reach the intended beneficiaries and to avoid diversion risks. We understand that the European Commission has also taken steps with the Algerian Government to allow for donations intended for Sahrawi refugees to be exempt from VAT.

We are concerned about the people of Western Sahara, particularly those in the Tindouf refugee camps. The UK has provided support to displaced people in camps in the Tindouf region of Algeria via contributions to the EU's ECHO humanitarian fund, which provided €9 million in humanitarian funding in 2020. Our core contributions to the UN also help to support UN bodies in Tindouf. The UK strongly supports UN-led efforts to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution on the Western Sahara dispute that provides for the self determination of the people of Western Sahara.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
16th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will seek assurances from the Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria that UK international aid, contributed via the European Union International Development fund, has not been used to acquire armaments used by the Algeria-backed Polisario, based in the Tindouf camps.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) report on food aid in Tindouf refugee camps was undertaken from 2003, drafted in 2007 and released in 2015 following an intervention by the EU Ombudsman. The European Commission has taken measures to address the findings documented in the OLAF report. The European Commission has found no evidence of aid diversion since these measures were put in place and it has taken measures to ensure that aid continues to reach the intended beneficiaries and to avoid diversion risks. We understand that the European Commission has also taken steps with the Algerian Government to allow for donations intended for Sahrawi refugees to be exempt from VAT.

We are concerned about the people of Western Sahara, particularly those in the Tindouf refugee camps. The UK has provided support to displaced people in camps in the Tindouf region of Algeria via contributions to the EU's ECHO humanitarian fund, which provided €9 million in humanitarian funding in 2020. Our core contributions to the UN also help to support UN bodies in Tindouf. The UK strongly supports UN-led efforts to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution on the Western Sahara dispute that provides for the self determination of the people of Western Sahara.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
16th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the viability of a re-launch of the political process talks on the political and security situation in the Sahara.

We note reports of ceasefire agreement breaches on both sides. The UK supports UN-led efforts to achieve a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. We have regular discussions with the UN and continue to urge the parties to avoid further escalation, return to the ceasefire agreement, and re-engage with the UN-led political process. We strongly support the UN Secretary-General's efforts to appoint a Personal Envoy as soon as possible. We will continue to monitor the situation in Western Sahara.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
16th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect on the integrity of the United Nations brokered ceasefire in the Moroccan Sahara of a reported breach of the 1991 agreement by armed Polisario forces at the Guergerate border crossing between Mauritania and Morocco; and if he will make a statement.

We note reports of ceasefire agreement breaches on both sides. The UK supports UN-led efforts to achieve a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. We have regular discussions with the UN and continue to urge the parties to avoid further escalation, return to the ceasefire agreement, and re-engage with the UN-led political process. We strongly support the UN Secretary-General's efforts to appoint a Personal Envoy as soon as possible. We will continue to monitor the situation in Western Sahara.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
16th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with the ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on the application of human rights in the Tindouf camps in Algeria.

We have regular discussions with various interlocutors on Western Sahara, including Algeria and we are closely monitoring the situation. We continue to urge the parties to avoid further escalation, return to the ceasefire agreement, and re-engage with the UN-led political process. The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara and the Tindouf refugee camps, which we raise with the parties.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
16th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the evidence given by the Director-General of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, that the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria places a five per cent tax on aid sent from the EU International Aid fund to the Tindouf camps within its borders; and what estimate he has made of the UK contribution to that aid in the last five years.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) report on food aid in Tindouf refugee camps was undertaken from 2003, drafted in 2007 and released in 2015 following an intervention by the EU Ombudsman. The European Commission has taken measures to address the findings documented in the OLAF report. The European Commission has found no evidence of aid diversion since these measures were put in place and it has taken measures to ensure that aid continues to reach the intended beneficiaries and to avoid diversion risks. We understand that the European Commission has also taken steps with the Algerian Government to allow for donations intended for Sahrawi refugees to be exempt from VAT.

We are concerned about the people of Western Sahara, particularly those in the Tindouf refugee camps. The UK has provided support to displaced people in camps in the Tindouf region of Algeria via contributions to the EU's ECHO humanitarian fund, which provided €9 million in humanitarian funding in 2020. Our core contributions to the UN also help to support UN bodies in Tindouf. The UK strongly supports UN-led efforts to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution on the Western Sahara dispute that provides for the self determination of the people of Western Sahara.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
28th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to reports of abuse and arrest of medics treating people involved in protests in Hong Kong, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law are complied with; and what representations he has made to the (a) Chinese Government, and b) the Government of Hong Kong on compliance with that law.

We take any allegations relating to the arrest of medics treating protesters at demonstrations in Hong Kong extremely seriously. We expect the Hong Kong authorities to abide by international humanitarian norms and laws. We continue to be concerned about the situation in Hong Kong and have called consistently for a robust, independent inquiry into recent events as a step towards resolution of the situation. We have also made our concerns to the Chinese government about human rights clear. The Foreign Secretary has set out our concerns about the situation in Hong Kong directly to both the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam and to the Chinese Foreign Minister, State Councillor Wang Yi.

29th Jan 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his oral contribution of 22 November 2023, Official Report column 349, what the evidential basis is for the statement that the VAT Retail Export Scheme cost around £2.5 billion a year; and if he will publish the methodology underpinning this costing.

The Growth Plan, published in 2022 (https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/the-growth-plan), indicated that introducing a worldwide scheme would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year. This figure consists of the cost from EU and non-EU visitors and is based on the same methodology as costings of the abolition of VAT RES and the associated airside scheme published in 2020 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fbd2087d3bf7f5735e29b41/Policy_costings_2020_final.pdf). Updating that figure with the latest economic determinants suggests the cost would be in the region of £2.5bn.
Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
29th Jan 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 5.87 of the Autumn Statement 2023, CP 977, published on 22 November 2023, in what form his Department prefers to receive (a) industry representations and (b) broader data on the VAT Retail Export Scheme.

The government recognises a range of qualitative and quantitative data will be relevant for considering the VAT Retail Export Scheme and is grateful for all industry submissions. The government is continuing to accept representations and considering this new information carefully alongside broader data.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
29th Jan 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 5.87 of the Autumn Statement 2023, CP 977, published on 22 November 2023, until what date his Department will continue to accept (a) industry representations and (b) broader data on the VAT Retail Export Scheme.

The Government takes an ongoing interest in the VAT Retail Export Scheme and continues to accept industry representations. The Government has not set a deadline by which submissions must be received and HM Treasury continues to consider all evidence submitted by stakeholders.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Jul 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of removing the VAT retail export scheme on jobs in the (a) retail, (b) hospitality and (c) tourism sectors.

The Chancellor has been clear that being responsible with the public finances is a priority. Government analysis done in 2022, which took increased tourist spending into account, found that introducing worldwide VAT-free shopping would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year.

The Government engaged with varied stakeholders and produced analysis on the cost of VAT-free shopping before withdrawing the previous scheme, and the OBR’s assessment of the previous VAT Retail Export Scheme showed that its withdrawal would have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
17th Jul 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of removing the VAT Retail Export Scheme on small businesses.

The Chancellor has been clear that being responsible with the public finances is a priority. Government analysis done in 2022, which took increased tourist spending into account, found that introducing worldwide VAT-free shopping would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year.

The Government engaged with varied stakeholders and produced analysis on the cost of VAT-free shopping before withdrawing the previous scheme, and the OBR’s assessment of the previous VAT Retail Export Scheme showed that its withdrawal would have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
17th Jul 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the removal of the VAT Retail Export Scheme on tourism destinations across the UK.

The Chancellor has been clear that being responsible with the public finances is a priority. Government analysis done in 2022, which took increased tourist spending into account, found that introducing worldwide VAT-free shopping would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year.

The Government engaged with varied stakeholders and produced analysis on the cost of VAT-free shopping before withdrawing the previous scheme, and the OBR’s assessment of the previous VAT Retail Export Scheme showed that its withdrawal would have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
17th Jul 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the removal of the VAT Retail Export Scheme on the economy.

The Chancellor has been clear that being responsible with the public finances is a priority. Government analysis done in 2022, which took increased tourist spending into account, found that introducing worldwide VAT-free shopping would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year.

The Government engaged with varied stakeholders and produced analysis on the cost of VAT-free shopping before withdrawing the previous scheme, and the OBR’s assessment of the previous VAT Retail Export Scheme showed that its withdrawal would have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
17th Jul 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the impact of the removal of the VAT Retail Export Scheme on the arts and culture sectors.

The Chancellor has been clear that being responsible with the public finances is a priority. Government analysis done in 2022, which took increased tourist spending into account, found that introducing worldwide VAT-free shopping would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year.

The Government engaged with varied stakeholders and produced analysis on the cost of VAT-free shopping before withdrawing the previous scheme, and the OBR’s assessment of the previous VAT Retail Export Scheme showed that its withdrawal would have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department made of the annual cost of extending the VAT Retail Export Scheme to EU visitors in September 2020.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department made of the total cost of retaining airside tax-free shopping and extending it to EU visitors in 2020.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department made of the total cost of extending both the VAT Retail Export Scheme and airside tax-free shopping to EU visitors in September 2020.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department made in the Growth Plan 2022 of what the total cost would be of restoring both the VAT Retail Export Scheme and airside tax-free shopping to all international visitors in the 2025-26 financial year.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department made of the additional (a) direct and (b) indirect tax revenues that would have been generated by extending airside tax-free shopping to EU visitors in 2020.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how his Department estimated the annual cost of extending airside tax-free shopping to EU visitors in 2020.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department made of the annual cost of extending airside tax-free shopping to EU visitors in 2020.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department made of the annual cost of retaining the VAT Retail Export Scheme and extending it to EU visitors in September 2020.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department made of the additional (a) direct and (b) indirect tax revenues that would have been generated by extending the VAT Retail Export Scheme to EU visitors in September 2020.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how his Department estimated the annual cost of extending the VAT Retail Export Scheme to EU visitors in September 2020.

The Chancellor announced on 17 October 2022 that the Government will not be proceeding with plans to introduce a new VAT-free shopping scheme. This decision was included as part of the reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan on 23 September which have not been legislated for in Parliament. The Chancellor has taken these decisions to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

Introducing VAT-free shopping would come at a significant fiscal cost as it would subsidise a large amount of tourist spending which already occurs without a tax relief in place.

The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. This showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
18th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the value of spending by international visitors on goods and services other than tax-free shopping in the UK; and what proportion of that spending is forecast to be retained in the UK after the VAT retail export scheme is withdrawn.

The Government has announced that the VAT Retail Export Scheme will not be extended to EU visitors, and will be withdrawn for all non-EU visitors, following the end of the transition period. However, retailers will continue to be able to offer VAT-free shopping to non-EU visitors who purchase items in store and have them sent direct to their overseas addresses and this will be available to EU visitors following the end of the transition period.

The final costing will be subject to scrutiny by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility and will be set out at the next forecast.

The Government recognises the challenge these businesses face. The Chancellor announced the Winter Economy Plan on 24 September. This includes an extension to the temporary 5 per cent reduced rate of VAT on goods and services supplied by the tourism and hospitality sectors from 12 January to 31 March 2021. This alone provides continued support for the cash flow and viability of over 150,000 businesses and protection for 2.4 million jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The Plan also provides further support to businesses and jobs over the coming months.

18th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the cessation of the VAT retail export scheme on the UK’s position as an international destination.

The Government has announced that the VAT Retail Export Scheme will not be extended to EU visitors, and will be withdrawn for all non-EU visitors, following the end of the transition period. However, retailers will continue to be able to offer VAT-free shopping to non-EU visitors who purchase items in store and have them sent direct to their overseas addresses and this will be available to EU visitors following the end of the transition period.

The final costing will be subject to scrutiny by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility and will be set out at the next forecast.

The Government recognises the challenge these businesses face. The Chancellor announced the Winter Economy Plan on 24 September. This includes an extension to the temporary 5 per cent reduced rate of VAT on goods and services supplied by the tourism and hospitality sectors from 12 January to 31 March 2021. This alone provides continued support for the cash flow and viability of over 150,000 businesses and protection for 2.4 million jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The Plan also provides further support to businesses and jobs over the coming months.