Yesterday saw a Westminster Hall debate on VAT and listed properties, secured by APPG chair Craig Mackinlay. Craig put forward a strong case for VAT reform to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jesse Norman.
The debate was attended by a broad spectrum of MPs, including Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Scottish Nationalist and Plaid Cymru members. A number of MPs spoke in support of VAT reductions, including Wera Hobhouse, Alison Thewliss and Hywel Williams.
Jesse Norman, answering on behalf of the government, maintained the position that a simple VAT reduction is not likely, but expressed an interest in targeted grant relief.
With the budget coming up so soon, we see this debate as hugely important to put the issues in public and the response from the Treasury was more positive than we had previously expected.
