MP Celebrates Caravan Tax Campaign Victory At National Conference

MP Celebrates Caravan Tax Campaign Victory At  National Conference

Graham Stuart MP has given a speech to mark the successful campaign to prevent the “caravan tax” proposed in the 2012 Budget, which helped to safeguard the future of hundreds of jobs in East Yorkshire and across the UK.

Addressing delegates at the British Holiday and Home Parks Association’s Annual Conference, Graham discussed the cross-party campaign he spearheaded to persuade the Government to abandon proposals to increase the VAT charge on static caravans to 20%.
In his speech, Graham received a standing ovation when he told the audience:

“The caravan industry is at the heart of the East Yorkshire economy. Twenty-two months ago, it looked as if the sale of static caravans was going to be hit with a new 20% VAT rate – a devastating blow to an industry which supports thousands of jobs.”

“Yet today, that disaster has been averted. Instead of a 20% VAT rate, static caravans are taxed at just 5%, and the future for the industry – although it has its fair share of challenges – is much brighter.”

“I think we can be genuinely proud of the role we were all able to play in changing the Government’s mind. Our campaign brought together an alliance of local businesses, MPs and industry groups. We fought the Treasury – and we won.”

Ros Pritchard OBE, the Director General of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, said:

“This was the first gathering of the industry in Westminster since Graham Stuart MP’s pivotal work to safeguard jobs in Yorkshire’s caravan manufacturing industry and across the rural economy when we faced the 2012 Budget.”

“The hero’s welcome Graham received from conference delegates was matched only by the deep-felt appreciation following his talk. As ever, Graham demonstrated his thorough grasp of the issues affecting our industry, and of the vital economic and social benefits caravan businesses bring to local communities. We are extremely grateful for his taking time out to address the many hundreds who attended this year’s industry summit.”

Rolson Larkham, the owner of Cowden Holiday Park near Hornsea, who invited Graham to join him for lunch at the Conference, said:

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to welcome Graham Stuart to my industry conference. Graham is a fantastic MP; he saw the threat to jobs in constituency businesses both on parks like mine and in caravan manufacture, and stood up for us.”

“We are deeply indebted to Graham for his work and energy, co-co-ordinating a successful campaign in Parliament to protect jobs in Yorkshire.”



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