The UK Travel Retail Forum (UKTRF) has welcomed the government’s Budget 2020 announcement of a consultation on the United Kingdom’s post-Brexit duty free and tax free regime.

As first reported yesterday (11 March), the consultation documents seen by TRBusiness contains a number of questions and mooted policy options, including new opportunities following Britain’s exit from the EU on 31 January.

According to a further UKTRF statement released today (12 March), the consultation represents the clearest opportunity to date for the travel retail industry to emphasise the ‘substantial economic and consumer benefits’ a fully-fledged duty free and tax free post-Brexit regime could deliver for the UK.

‘SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS’

Francois Bourienne, Chair, UKTRF said: “The UK Travel Retail Forum welcomes the opportunity to respond to the government’s consultation on the post-Brexit duty and tax free regime. The return of duty and tax free sales for passengers travelling from the UK to the EU by air, sea or train will delivery substantial economic benefits and new jobs right across the UK, as well as delivering new options and experiences for travellers heading to the continent for work or leisure.

“A recently completed independent economic analysis has concluded the full return of duty and tax free sales in the aviation industry alone could contribute as much as £1.1bn to the UK economy and generate over 10,300 direct and indirect jobs up and down the country.

“The chancellor’s announcement is a positive step forward, but the UKTRF is well aware of the work required in the months ahead to ensure we achieve the policy outcome the industry wants and needs in order to remain competitive with its EU counterparts.”

The UKTRF will make its own submission on behalf of the industry, but will also encourage its members to express their own views as key contributors to the UK travel and transport sector.

Bourienne remarked: “UKTRF has been a strong supporter of the return of duty and tax free after Brexit since the referendum of 2016. We appreciate the government’s willingness to engage with the industry on this important issue and will be working constructively with ministers and officials as the policy is developed.”