Clegg facing grilling over caravan tax

The Deputy Prime Minister is due to meet business leaders from the Institute of Directors – and a representative from the caravan industry – at the Deep visitor attraction.

His visit comes ahead of a major debate on the tax tonight and a week ahead of local elections in Hull, where several major manufacturers are based.

Deputy leader of Hull Council Coun Daren Hale said: “I am sure the thousands of workers and their families, who will face redundancy because of Mr Clegg’s support for VAT on caravans, will be interested to know that he is brazen enough to show his face in Hull. They, like many others, may want to ask him why only one Lib Dem voted against the tax.”

But Abi Bell, leader of the Lib Dems on the council, accused Labour of turning the issue into “a party political football for the sake of a few votes next week”.

The adjournment debate secured by MP for Beverley and Holderness Graham Stuart will add to the pressure on the Government for a rethink.

A Treasury consultation has already been extended, leading to hopes of a compromise. More than 90 per cent of the UK’s static caravans are manufactured in East Yorkshire. It is feared the tax could cost 7,000 jobs nationally.