Union endorses duty free retail post-Brexit

Trade union GMB has formally backed a return to duty free shopping when the UK leaves the European Union, labelling the motion “advantageous” to the drinks industry.

GMB formally backs return to duty free shopping post-Brexit

Delegates at the union’s 100th Annual Congress in Plymouth passed a motion to bring back tax free sales as soon as Brexit has taken place.

The motion was proposed by Steve Mason from GMB Southern Region, who reminded delegates that intra-EU duty free is not “a new creation”.

“We respectfully remind you that duty free is not a new phenomena,” he said. “It has existed for well in excess of half a century. For most of the period [that] the UK has been linked to Europe as an economic entity going back to the early 70s, intra-EU duty free has existed.”

He urged delegates to consider the “very serious” implications of the motion and to vote “on this basis”.

“The restoration of intra-EU duty free would be a boost to the shipping, ferries, airport, airlines and general tourist industry, and would also be advantageous, for example, to our drinks business and the Scottish whisky membership,” he continued.

“The revenue streams created would help to support route networks and be advantageous to people, businesses and regional economies.”