Burnham-On-Sea’s MP has been thanked by tourism bosses for her role in halting the government’s plans to introduce a ‘caravan tax’ which could have cost hundreds of jobs in Somerset.
Tessa Munt was thanked this week after a speech at the annual National Conference of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.
She was invited to speak after a successful campaign by Somerset’s caravan park owners, combined with the full ‘fire-power’ of the association, led to a rethink by the Treasury over plans to introduce a ‘caravan tax’, which would have seen the introduction of VAT at 20 per cent on static caravan sales.
Tessa told the audience how important tourism is for our economy, not least in the South West where over 35,000 people are reliant on the industry for their livelihoods.
BH&HPA Director General Ros Pritchard OBE said: “This was the first gathering of the industry in Westminster since Tessa’s work to safeguard jobs on Somerset holiday parks, in the caravan manufacturing industry and across the rural economy.”
“Tessa immediately saw the threat to caravan businesses from the Budget proposals and secured a meeting between Treasury Ministers and the industry. Our conference was the opportunity to say thank you; the warmth of delegates’ applause underlined the industry’s deep gratitude to Tessa.”
Sue Lodge, owner of Sunningcrest Caravan Park in Brean, who attended the conference, said: “Tessa was instrumental in helping our industry avoid the Caravan Tax and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation of her work to protect jobs in Somerset on parks like mine.”
