Our Autumn Budget Asks to HM Treasury

The UK ranks 113th of 119 countries for tourism price competitiveness. We’re among the highest-taxed accommodation markets in Europe. Nearly 100,000 hospitality jobs have gone in two years – 45% of all jobs lost across the economy, with young people and part-time workers hit hardest.

That’s the backdrop to our Autumn Budget submission to HM Treasury: a competitiveness package for tourism, not another list of spending requests.

📋 Publish the National Visitor Economy Strategy — with the resources to deliver it.

💷 VAT cut to 10% or lower
On tourist accommodation, attractions and events — in line with France, Spain, Germany and Portugal.

🏛️ Business rates reform
A deeper RHL discount extended across the whole visitor economy, not just retail and pubs.

🏨 Binding safeguards on any Overnight Visitor Levy (OVL)
Ring-fenced spend, one national framework, real business representation.

👷 Employer NI threshold restored to £10,000
By the end of this Parliament — protecting the youth, part-time and seasonal jobs tourism depends on.

🎓 Workforce and skills package
Multi-year cost certainty, no Employment Rights Act rollout before October 2028, ring-fenced skills investment, and a seasonal workers scheme.

🛍️ Tax-free shopping reinstated
A new, fully digitised scheme for international visitors, across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

🎪 Tax credits for new events
Early-years incentives for events in regional destinations, to extend the season.

🛂 Hold the ETA fee, review its impact
No further increase pending a review of its effect on inbound competitiveness.

🌍 Sustained funding for VisitBritain, VisitEngland and the LVEP network
VisitBritain delivers £20 of visitor spend for every £1 invested.

The visitor economy is worth £147 billion a year — 5% of the national economy, 2.4 million jobs (nearly 1 in 15), and £52 billion in tax revenues annually.