Chancellor must remove VAT on COVID testing for international travellers

Ahead of the restart of international travel, Henry Smith MP, Chair of the APPG for the Future of Aviation has called for VAT to be removed on COVID testing for international travellers.

“Whilst it is welcome that the Government have acknowledged that the sky-high costs of PCR tests are unacceptable they need to urgently remove VAT on COVID-19 testing for international travellers. 

“By keeping VAT on tests, we risk testing becoming a significant disincentive to international travel and holding back the restart of international travel before it has even begun. 

 “In some cases, the cost of the PCR tests will be higher than the cost of the flight itself and this is simply ludicrous.  The Chancellor must take decisive action and scrap VAT on testing ahead of the restart of international travel. This will not only support the recovery of our aviation industry, but ensure that hard working families can enjoy a much-needed summer holiday.”