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VAT on Static Caravans

Volume 545: debated on Wednesday 23 May 2012

I present a petition on behalf of Suffolk Coastal residents. People have also sent me letters on this matter.

The petition states that

levying VAT on static holiday caravans would cost thousands of jobs

in the UK holiday industry, including on caravan parks, and for caravan manufacturing and its suppliers,

and notes that the Petitioners believe that such a levy will

reduce investment in these businesses and

lose revenue for the Government.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to reverse its decision to levy VAT on static caravans.

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The Petition of Residents of Suffolk Coastal,

Declares that the Petitioners believe that levying VAT on static holiday caravans would cost thousands of jobs in caravan manufacturing, from their suppliers, and in the wider UK holiday industry; and notes that the Petitioners believe that such a levy would lose revenue for the Government.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to reverse its decision to levy VAT on static caravans.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.]

[P001059]

I, too, wish to present a petition on behalf of residents in Thirsk and Malton in similar terms to the aforementioned petition. In addition to the petition, I have received a vast number of letters. Normally, when such a radical tax change is proposed, one year is allowed from the date of its proposed introduction before its coming into force, if at all.

The petition states:

The Petition of residents of Thirsk and Malton,

Declares that the Petitioners believe that levying VAT on static holiday caravans would cost thousands of jobs in caravan manufacturing, from their suppliers, and in the wider UK holiday industry; and notes that the Petitioners believe that such a levy would lose revenue for the Government.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to reverse its decision to levy VAT on static caravans.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P001094]