Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Tourism Recovery Plan: Update on Delivery published by her Department in March 2023, what recent progress she has made on her Department's commitment to explore potential mitigations for the removal of the VAT-free shopping scheme.

As referenced in the Tourism Recovery Plan Update, the Government is engaging closely to identify potential ways to further grow the UK visitor economy - including how best to support and grow the valuable inbound tourism sector.

We will continue to monitor the impact of government interventions and facilitate joined-up policy interventions, and to discuss this topic with colleagues across Government through the Inter-Ministerial Group for the Visitor Economy.

As a tax matter, His Majesty’s Treasury set the terms for the UK Government’s policy on VAT-free shopping. HM Treasury continues to monitor the evidence and latest data around VAT-free shopping as they keep all taxes under review.