MPs to examine taxation of Northern Ireland’s hospitality and tourism sectors
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will hold the first evidence session of its inquiry into the taxation of the hospitality and tourism sectors in Northern Ireland.
The session will examine arguments for and against a VAT cut for NI’s hospitality industry, in the context of the Republic of Ireland reducing VAT on food services from 13.5% to 9% in July 2026, as well as other support for businesses recently announced by the UK Government.
Meeting details
In the first panel, MPs will question representatives from two hospitality industry trade bodies: Hospitality Ulster and the Restaurants Association of Ireland.
The committee will likely ask about the financial health of the sector and the potential impact a VAT cut could have for businesses in Northern Ireland.
Then, MPs will hear from Gareth Hetherington, the Director of the Economic Policy Centre at Ulster University. The committee will likely ask about the viability of a VAT cut for the sector, as well as alternative policy options the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive could consider to support the industry.