Since the UK scrapped tax-free shopping, visitor spending is down. Why visit Britain when you can shop for less in Milan or Paris? The world doesn't owe us a living - we need to compete. I will bring that mindset as Chancellor to help grow our economy.

Sep 21, 2026 · 6:54 AM UTC

210
100
355
48,607
Sort replies: Relevant Recent Liked
Replying to @griffitha
Conservatives scrapped it in the first place now you want to virtue signal bringing it back 🙄
2
4
38
600
Under new management. Thatcher followed Heath. Pretty sure as I remember it they didn't follow the same policies....
17
14
634
Replying to @griffitha
Who are you representing? The interests of the people who live in the UK or the interests of people from Dubai, India and China? People who live here deserve a tax break. We don't get to shop VAT-free in our streets! Lower the overall tax burden to make London more competitive for tourists AND cheaper for UK residents. Giving tourists a tax break is NOT a priority.
3
13
845
Will do this too! Path to the small state you wish is through a growing economy.
9
15
693
more replies
Replying to @griffitha
Why would people want to come to London when it's a crime ridden hell hole?
1
46
396
Replying to @griffitha
Maybe stop the muggings first, you muppet.
17
182
Replying to @griffitha
I welcome this major u-turn. Getting rid of tax-free shopping was an act of economic self harm by the last Conservative government and the UK visitor economy has been detrimentally affected ever since, losing our international competitiveness.
1
2
93
Replying to @griffitha
Andy, surely you mean: Since the Tories scrapped tax-free shopping in 2021, visitor spending is down.
20
137
Replying to @griffitha
VAT for Brits only. Great policy!
1
13
154
Replying to @griffitha
Please tell us who scrapped it? You, your best mate Boris and his protégée Kemi Badenoch. Enough. Never again.
1
8
239
Replying to @griffitha
What is your evidence that tourists are choosing Milan and Paris over London, or are you just making things up?
8
88
Replying to @griffitha
Why didn't you stand up for this when Boris scrapped it?
8
46
Replying to @griffitha
The only thing the Conservatives have EVER boosted has been the bank accounts of themselves and their donors.
7
59
Replying to @griffitha
Which party scrapped this in the 1st place?
1
7
51
Replying to @griffitha
Out of a multitude of urgent pressing issues that are bringing the country to it's knees and the Tories are still pandering to foreign interest. You deserve zero seats to oblivion.
6
175
Replying to @griffitha
Andrew, who scrapped tax free shopping? Your own Conservative government in 2021. Then Kwasi Kwarteng announced its return in 2022 and Jeremy Hunt cancelled it three weeks later. So who exactly are you criticising here?
1
5
228
Replying to @griffitha
THE TORIES SCRAPPED IT NOT THE UK SCRAPPED IT YOU LOT MAKE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
1
4
22
Replying to @griffitha
I’m not sure that this should be a tax cutting priority at the moment as 🇬🇧 voters do not benefit directly. VAT free shopping still exists for tourists. It has not been completely abolished. To qualify you now have to send the goods to a foreign address.
1
5
129
Replying to @griffitha
ScottishPanda 🇬🇧@PandaScottish
Sep 21
The prime reason for scrapping the tax free shopping was that brexit Britain could not afford the cost Just think, a Jacob Rees-Mogg™️ brexit dividend of mroe than £1.7 billion a week and the UK couldn't afford to keep tax free shopping for tourists
4
45
Replying to @griffitha
Since “the UK” scrapped tax-free shopping? Your party scrapped it. lbc.co.uk/article/150cbeeaad…

Retailers criticise Treasury over move to scrap VAT-free shopping for tourists | LBC

Business groups fear the move could end up seeing tourists spending their cash in Paris and Milan instead.

lbc.co.uk
4
55
Replying to @griffitha
Oh dear...
Labour Press
@labourpress
Sep 21
Here's Kemi Badenoch explaining why she's against Kemi Badenoch's new policy.
3
30
Replying to @griffitha
4
56
Replying to @griffitha
Who scrapped it Trig?
3
24
Replying to @griffitha
The main reason people wouldn't visit Britain is it is turning into a third world shit hole, thanks to the millions of people you and Labour have imported They all need to go
1
2
22
Replying to @griffitha
Since the "UK" scrapped it... You're going to have to narrow that down a bit, who did that exactly in 2021? (It was Jeremy Hunt, and Rishi Sunack, any idea which party they were from?)
4
53
Replying to @griffitha
The tory govt scrapped tax free shopping at the end of the Brexit transition period. They justified the move claiming the scheme was expensive to maintain, disproportionately benefited London &luxury outlets and posed complex administration if extended to EU visitors post-Brexit
3
81
Replying to @griffitha
Kemi scrapped it 😂😂😂 never trust a Tory , very different when in power ..
2
36
Replying to @griffitha
Tory leader Kemi is now complaining about what she did when she was Business Secretary.
3
30
Replying to @griffitha
Come on Andy don't be shy, remind the boys and girls which party stopped it.
2
13
Replying to @griffitha
Rubbish. The cost of EVERYTHING in the #UK Is more expensive than everywhere else.
1
2
27
Replying to @griffitha
Correction Andrew Since the Tories scrapped tax free shopping Facts matter Andrew Tell the truth
3
16
Replying to @griffitha @UKHospKate
Not only that but 20% VAT in UK as opposed to 10% in EU will you also reduce VAT for hospitality in line with Europe?
1
3
217
Replying to @griffitha
While you’re at it, have a go at the disgusting brutalist yellow car park gates and cement blocks put up around Trafalgar Square. What must visitors think of that? Why should Londoners have to put up with this stuff?
2
86
Replying to @griffitha
A gentle reminder that it was the Tories raised VAT on goods and services to 20%, which made us one of the most expensive places to live in Europe, let alone shop.
3
48
Replying to @griffitha
So the Party that imposed Vat on energy, and has never apologised, is more concerned with tourists shopping in Harrods, that'll go down well.
2
256
Load more