O’Dowd stands with taxi industry against further tax burdens

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd is supporting the local taxi industry against further tax burdens.

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd

The Minister was speaking after he wrote to Rt Hon. Louise Haigh MP, Secretary of State for Transport, in support of the local taxi industry about a current consultation exercise by Treasury and Revenue and Customs and Department of Transport on the VAT Treatment of Private Hire Vehicles which closes on 8th August. 

Minister O’Dowd said: 

“I very much value the contribution of the taxi industry to our local economy, employment, tourism and social inclusion.  I believe that, wherever possible, we should strive to support them.

"I appreciate that this consultation is to understand the potential tax impact of recent court judgements on the sector and to invite views on potential government interventions to manage that impact.  But with the decreasing number of taxi drivers and operators locally and the negative impact that those changes are having on society especially the most vulnerable, I am concerned about what additional tax burdens may mean.  I would be concerned that people may be discouraged from staying in the industry and small operators could go out of business altogether.

"I encourage our taxi industry to make their views heard in this consultation because a strong response will provide powerful evidence to negate the need for further tax burdens on the sector.” 

Notes to editors: 

1. The Treasury and Revenue and Customs and Department of Transport The consultation is running until 8 August – more details here: Consultation on the VAT Treatment of Private Hire Vehicles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
2. The Department for Infrastructure regulates the industry in relation to licences for taxi operators, drivers and vehicles.
3. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
5. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure on LinkedIn at DfILinkedIn

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