Rouble rout stops Russian tourists spending in the UK January 18, 2015 Russia's economic quagmire is affecting the spending habits of Russians tourists in the UK, with total spending plunging 28 per cent last year according to research by tax experts Global Blue. Amid global sanctions over the Crisis in Ukraine, and a glut in the supply of oil leading to tumbling prices, thing went from bad [...]
Autumn Statement 2014: Treasury rules out cut to tourism VAT November 25, 2014 The Treasury has ruled out a cut to tourism VAT in the Autumn Statement next week, despite a campaign to slash the rate paid by tourist attractions and hotels around the UK. The Cut Tourism VAT campaign, backed by Merlin Entertainments, the British Hospitality Association and a number of MPs from all parties, has called [...]
European Court of Justice rules states can refuse welfare to immigrants but how many “benefits tourists” are there really? November 11, 2014 The European Court of Justice has ruled member states are free to exclude EU citizens from other nations who move to their country for the sole purpose of claiming benefits. The news was music to the ears of those in Downing Street, who have been seeking to crack down on so-called benefits tourism. So long [...]
The immigration debate has been poisoned – and the facts wilfully ignored November 5, 2014 This weekend, people across Europe will commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. They will celebrate the end of communism in Europe, the liberation of millions from totalitarianism, and the opening up of a continent to free movement between nations. In Britain, however, the politics of migration has become grubbier. Everybody [...]
Profit warning puts thorn in Mulberry October 14, 2014 MULBERRY shares were looking the worse for wear yesterday after the troubled luxury leather goods group issued yet another profit warning. The English luxury brand has been attempting to turn itself around following an ill-fated attempt to move the brand upmarket under previous chief executive Bruno Guillon. But in a statement yesterday, Mulberry warned that [...]
Prince William’s favourite island retreat October 3, 2014 Malta is a hot ticket right now. Even Prince William paid a visit last month to mark its 50th year of independence. While he was there, he may have noted the red, 1940s postboxes that still line the streets, embossed with the letters RG (Rex George), and smiled at the thought that they will be [...]
London taxi protest: Uber invites black cab drivers to join up before today’s strike September 24, 2014 London cabbies are set to wreak traffic havoc across central London as they prepare to protest against illegal minicabs. The action means up to 4,000 black cabs will drive slowly around Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. The London Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) which organised the protest, said: TFL’s inability to deal with the growing threat [...]
Russia and Thai tension drags UK tourist spending to five-year low August 21, 2014 Tourist spending in the UK has slumped for the first time in five years, after the Russia-Ukraine conflict and political unrest in Thailand deterred visitors from those countries. Figures published today by tax-free shopping specialist Global Blue showed that spending by overseas visitors fell by four per cent in the first six months compared with [...]
Heathrow reports record passenger numbers as airport expansion debate heats up August 11, 2014 Heathrow and Gatwick have reported record high passenger numbers for the month of July, adding fuel to the argument that both London airports are in need of expansion if the UK is to maximise its position as business and tourist destination. Passenger numbers at Heathrow were up 0.5 per cent on July 2013 to 6.97m. [...]
Pork barrel UK: Buying off voters with taxpayer cash has serious consequences August 4, 2014 THE CLASSICAL liberal French economist Frédéric Bastiat once said that “government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavours to live at the expense of everybody else.” Over the past year or so, numerous examples and allegations suggest that a more accurate pearl of wisdom for the UK would be: “Government is the great fiction, [...]