‘ Don’t axe tax- free shopping’

TOP fashion and luxury brands are urging Rishi Sunak to retain tax- free shopping at UK airports, saying the end of the perk would hit spending and cause big job losses.

In an open letter to the Chancellor, 16 firms including Paul Smith and Ted Baker labelled the end of the VAT incentive a “hammer blow”.

Drawbridge

They said it will make the UK the least attractive shopping venue in Europe as fliers instead buy in countries that keep tax- free sites.

They wrote: “We urge the Chancellor to reverse his decision, which is bad for business and bad for the Treasury. Pulling up the drawbridge to tourists is no way to achieve a Global Britain.”

It is the most highprofile intervention by shops since the plan to scrap the incentive was revealed. The Centre for Economics and Business Research say it could cost up to 41,000 jobs.