PURTON’S The Pear Tree is backing a national campaign to cut VAT for tourism and bring the UK in line with other European countries.

Owned by Alix Young and her husband Tim, the popular country house hotel has signed up to the campaign Cut Tourism VAT which lobbies the Government to make the cuts on tourism services such as hotel rooms, attractions and restaurants.

Chaired by the MD of Butlins, the campaign believes cutting VAT will boost the UK economy by billions and will create 120,000 new jobs. It’s run by the British Hospitality Association and wants VAT cut to five per cent.

Alix Young, hotel manager, said: “Bringing the UK in line with other European countries will make us a more attractive destination for tourists. Currently British families or international people choosing a UK break pay almost three times as much VAT compared to a French or German holiday, and twice as much as in Italy and Spain.

“This makes us a more expensive country to visit. Reducing tourism VAT would help lower prices and let businesses increase investment.”

The Cut Tourism Tax campaign claims the UK is one of only four European countries to not take advantage of EU rules allowing reductions. For example VAT on hotel accommodation in other EU countries currently stands at 13 per cent in Croatia, seven per cent in Luxembourg and ten per cent in Austria.

Cut Tourism Tax has more than 1,000 active campaigners and 100 MPs have signed up to support it.

The campaign is being backed by North Wiltshire MP James Gray.