Burberry’s Chairman Gerry Murphy slammed the UK’s removal of a tax break for tourists, describing it as a “spectacular own goal.” During a Q&A session with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a business event in London, Murphy criticised the UK government’s withdrawal of VAT rebates on shopping by overseas visitors after Brexit, saying it was a “bad decision” which had made the UK the least attractive shopping destination in Europe. The criticism is uncomfortable for Sunak, who implemented the policy while serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer. The rebate had allowed visitors to reclaim sales tax on high-street purchases made in the UK, a policy which was seen as benefiting luxury brands, hotels, non-luxury shopping and other industries. The exchange highlights the testy relationship between successive Tory governments and business since the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016.
