Budget ‘tax raid threat’

Budget Tax Raid to Threaten 70,000 Rural and Coastal Jobs

The UK’s largest representative group for the self-catering sector has responded to reports of a Budget Day tax attack on the industry, warning that tens of thousands of jobs across Britain’s rural and coastal communities will be lost if the measures are pushed through.

Original research commissioned by PASC UK has shown that the Government’s proposals would greatly harm the traditional rural and coastal holiday cottages sector which contributes £6bn to the English economy, costing a forecast 70,000 jobs in already hard-pressed rural and coastal communities.

Alistair Handyside, Chair of The Professional Association of Self Caterers UK, said:

“What appears to be being viewed as an ‘easy’ source of revenue for the Exchequer is in fact anything but. Increasing the tax burden on holiday properties across England’s coasts and countryside will drive scores of thousands from this traditional British sector, as the economics of providing holiday accommodation will simply no longer add up.

“This won’t just be to the detriment of those who currently own and rent accommodation – providing affordable and accessible options to families who want to holiday in the UK – it will strip from local economies tens of thousands of associated jobs which rely on the sector, such as roles in cleaning, pubs, cafes and tourist destinations.

“The Government is acting without the necessary data on the sector to create proportionate policy. For the good of the whole rural and coastal tourist economy, we implore the Chancellor to think again.”