Praise for caravan tax campaign

Cities Minister Greg Clark made clear yesterday the impact the anti-Caravan Tax campaign is having at the highest levels of Government, in a week in which more than 30 protest petitions containing tens of thousands of names were presented to Parliament by MPs from across the UK.

The Treasury has already agreed to extended the deadline for its consultation into the plan to charge VAT on static holiday caravans after a Commons rebellion saw its majority slashed to just 25.

Speaking in response to a question from Hull MP Diana Johnson, Mr Clark said there could be no doubt the Government is taking the concerns seriously.

“The consultation has been extended,” he said. “(Ms Johnson) and others have had meetings with Treasury Ministers and clearly made a forceful case. I know Ministers are seriously considering this matter.”

The consultation closed last Friday and a final decision is expected in the coming weeks.

Ms Johnson voiced disappointment last night that whatever decision is made is now likely to pass through Parliament without a further vote. “The key thing is we want it on the floor of the House,” she said.