Borders MP Michael Moore has welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to repeal tax plans by the previous Government that would have hit the tourism industry in the Borders.

In the Budget statement earlier this week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the scrapping of an increase in the tax payable on furnished holiday lettings (FHLs). Industry experts had warned that the tax hike, which was first suggested in 2009, could have led to more than 4,500 job losses across the UK.

Commenting, Mr Moore said:
Michael Moore MP: Borders
“In areas such as the Borders where tourism is an important part of the local economy, it is clear that Labour’s planned tax hike would have put additional pressure on jobs at a time when we could least afford it.

“At the end of the last Parliament, I worked with colleagues to ensure that the Labour Government could not force through this tax increase before the General Election. I am pleased that the coalition Government has now been able to scrap these unwelcome proposals entirely.

“This Budget was always going to be challenging but, despite the difficult circumstances, it was important that we protected the most vulnerable and created the right conditions for growth. The measures set out in the Chancellor’s speech did just that, and the decision to scrap the FHL tax rules will provide the tourism industry in the Borders with a real boost.”