Mark Garnier has contacted significant players in Wyre Forest's tourist industry. Holiday caravan parks in the constituency are concerned about the proposed changes to VAT that may affect their profitability. With 26 parks and 2,500 static caravans in Wyre Forest, this is an important issue for Wyre Forest's MP to tackle.
Mark has asked the caravan parks to provide details of how the changes, if implemented, might affect them. The changes are being proposed to address long standing anomalies in the VAT system. The Government is seeking people's views on its plans by holding a consultation. This has been extended to 18th May following significant pressure from MPs with a local interest, including Mark.
Mark said:
"It is perfectly reasonable for the Government to consult on these VAT anomalies, but as a Member of Parliament whose constituency is affected by the proposed changes, I need to take action. That is why I have written to all the holiday park owners in Wyre Forest to ascertain what the effect will be locally, and to make sure that the park owners make their own submissions to the consultation. I will be putting in my own submission that will be presenting a strong argument against the imposition of VAT on static caravans. I encourage anyone else who thinks they might be affected to make a submission."
The consultation can be found at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf
More details about the proposals and who they will affect can be found at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/tiin-4807.pdf