Question reference: S5W-07369
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 21 February 2017
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Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 28 February 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the campaign to reduce VAT for tourism, and what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding this.
Answer
The Scottish Government values the significant contribution made by the visitor economy and considers that a reduced rate of VAT could bring important benefits for the tourism sector, including enhancing its competitiveness. In March 2016, following a joint Ministerial meeting, the former Minister for Tourism, along with those of the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations, wrote jointly to HM Treasury to request a review of VAT rates for the tourism industry to gather evidence on the impact of any change. This approach was declined.