Tax-free shopping

That this House expresses its alarm at the decision to end the VAT Retail Export Scheme commonly known as Tax-free shopping at the end of 2020, apparently without any assessment of the direct and wider impact on the retail, hospitality and tourism sectors in Edinburgh and across Scotland; notes that visitors to Edinburgh and Scotland from international destinations such as China, USA and other countries make a valuable contribution to our economy including through the purchase of iconic Scottish goods and holidaying here; further notes that the UK would be the only country in Europe not to operate tax free shopping if the scheme ends; acknowledges that the Scottish Retail Consortium, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Essential Edinburgh business improvement district and others have voiced their concerns over the end of tax free shopping; and calls on UK Ministers to reconsider or postpone the ending of the tax relief until a full impact assessment is undertaken and discussions are held with industry on possible alternative solutions.