Static holiday caravans will be taxed at 5%, not 20%, after a successful cross-party campaign led by Graham Stuart MP.
Graham said, “It’s fantastic news for the tens of thousands of people employed in this little understood but successful and important industry for the UK economy. I am relieved that the Government listened to the arguments, took people’s concerns on board, and decided on a much more reasonable tax on static holiday caravans.
“Everyone knows the challenges of tackling the deficit if our children and grandchildren aren’t to be saddled with huge levels of debt. That’s why the Government has to look at every possible source of revenue. But they also have to listen – which they did – and thousands of jobs will be safeguarded as a result.
“It’s been a great campaign with tens of thousands of people signing the petition and many others making their views known to MPs up and down the country. The industry has been ably led by the National Caravan Council and the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, who provided much of the intellectual firepower to win the argument.
“I’m also grateful to MPs of all parties who listened to their constituents, lobbied ministers relentlessly and helped bring about this change. By working together we have been effective and shown how Parliament and backbench MPs can bring about change even in measures announced in a Budget. ”
The cross party campaign against the caravan tax began when Graham organised a meeting between MPs and caravan manufacturers in Beverley immediately after the Budget. He then lead a delegation to the Treasury, tabled an amendment to the Finance Bill, secured an additional debate in the House of Commons, tabled a motion opposing the tax, organised a joint presentation of thousands of petitions to Parliament, and directly lobbied the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and most of the Cabinet to bring about the change.
