Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much additional VAT revenue they have collected as a result of the changes to online platforms’ VAT liability that came into effect in January; and what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of those changes.

The Government introduced changes on 1 January 2021 which meant that online marketplaces were liable to account for UK VAT on sales of goods in consignments valued £135 and below which are outside the UK at the point of sale, and for goods of any value sold by overseas sellers that are in the UK at the point of sale. The Government also removed Low Value Consignment Relief, which relieved VAT for goods imported into the UK in consignments up to £15 in value.

On 27 October 2021, the Office for Budget Responsibility set out their assessment of the fiscal impact of these changes as part of their Economic and Fiscal Outlook. They estimate the measures will generate £1.4 billion in the year 2021-22, with an expected increase each year following this.