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Badenoch Plans Restore 20% VAT Refund for Foreign Visitors

By Drooid · Oct 5, 2026, 2:57 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch announced plans to restore a 20% VAT refund for foreign visitors to London.
She said she originally opposed the refund, but the Treasury and chancellor overruled her.
Badenoch traveled to Japan to examine how its VAT refund scheme operates.
She noted the CPS has referred Kensington and Chelsea Council to corporate manslaughter over Grenfell and backed new building-safety legislation.

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Story summary

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch announced plans to restore a 20% VAT refund for foreign visitors to London.
She said she originally opposed the refund, but the Treasury and chancellor overruled her.
Badenoch traveled to Japan to examine how its VAT refund scheme operates.
She noted the CPS has referred Kensington and Chelsea Council to corporate manslaughter over Grenfell and backed new building-safety legislation.