The new vehicle excise duty hike has been REVERSED in a terrific battle by the NCC which saw first year road tax increase 705% to a whopping £2,125 for the first year.
The NCC has won its campaign to reverse new charges, which has seen a decrease in new motorhome sales since the new Euro 6d-Temp engine motorhomes came in to play for the 2020 models.
VED rates went from £265 to £2,135 for the first year and £465 for the subsequent five years. A statement by the chancellor Rishi Sunak in todays budget confirmed that the rise is to be reversed.
The #FairMotorhomeTax campaign was started by the NCC, trade assoication for the leisure vehicle industry begin its campaign and was backed by 85 cross-party MPs.
WeBuyAnyMotorcaravan.com director, Shane Malpass said “This is a fantastic achievement by all, one that will stabilise the motorhome world and put it back on track, which should see new motorhome sales increase once again which will aid used motorhome sales in future years to come. The biggest worry about the tax hikes was that there would be a limited number of 2020 and onwards motorhomes on the market, restricing sales and availability”.
NCC Director General, John Lally said: “We have had extraordinary support from Parliamentarians – too many to mention them all – but in particular Richard Holden MP, Sir David Amess MP, Emma Hardy MP, Karl Turner MP and David Davis MP. Rishi Sunak MP – prior to becoming Chancellor – had also indicated support.
“Alongside the NCC, its members and the wider industry, these MPs worked tirelessly to reverse this increase, knowing the impact it would have on British manufacturing, on jobs and, potentially, on UK tourism. We offer our thanks to all of them and to the media, who highlighted how unfair the tax was”.
“Early in 2019 when the rise was first mooted, the NCC immediately mobilized its forces. For nearly a year, NCC Deputy Director General Alicia Dunne and the team have highlighted the issue, met with Treasury, briefed dozens of MPs, researched possible impacts and liaised with the industry to try to get the rise reversed. Today, we have got the result we have been working for – a huge boost for British manufacturing”.
“Leisure vehicle manufacturing is a British success story. The steady growth the motorhome industry had seen up to the time of the tax hike was almost instantly halted. We are delighted that our new Chancellor has so quickly understood that motorhomes and campervans should not be taxed as cars, that he has shown concern about the threats to our industry and taken this action to preserve jobs”.
“Motorhomes will now return to being taxed as vans, which is logical as the vast majority are based on a commercial vehicle chassis. This is an amazing result for us, for this vibrant manufacturing industry and for the many thousands who take motorhoming holidays – the vast majority in the UK – each year.”
Erwin Hymer Group UK Ltd, Managing Director, Rob Quine, commented: “Ours is a highly innovative, inventive and competitive industry, but these tax hikes threatened its stability. I would like to thank the NCC and our new MP, Richard Holden, for all they did.”
James Turner Managing Director, Swift Group Ltd said: “This is an incredibly important result for our industry, it will without doubt resonate with our loyal customers, which in turn will give all businesses within the entire supply chain the opportunity and the confidence they need. Our gratitude extends to all those involved for their support, with special thanks to the NCC and our local MP David Davis.”