Tax-free shopping for tourists in UK may return as government eyes rethink

Government spending watchdog asked to review costs and benefits of then chancellor Rishi Sunak's 2020 own goal' decision

The Treasury's independent forecaster is to review the axeing of tax-free shopping for tourists, raising the possibility that a decision that leisure companies and retailers have blasted for deterring visitors and losing the UK billions in sales could be reversed.

With a change of heart likely to be seen as a shot in the arm for struggling businesses, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is to examine the costs and benefits associated with Rishi Sunak's 2020 decision to end the retail scheme when he was chancellor of the exchequer.