A reverse decision to axe the plan was made lastnight at the post-budget consultation whilst closing VAT loopholes, along with the unrelated VAT addition on hot foods.

The news comes after heavy protest and campaigning from the caravan industry, stating the estimated return of the VAT sum over a period of 5 years would not only equal to less than the UK holiday maker industry brings in from custom each year, but inflict heavy damage on the caravan industry for businesses and jobs alike.

However, a slightly less heavy-handed 5% increase on Static Caravan sales is to be delayed until March 2013. It is yet to be seen if the 5% increase will meet further opposition at a later date, but for now those involved seem happy to celebrate the good news.

John Lally, Director General of the National Caravan Council at the head of the battle against the Static Caravan VAT addition, posted on his Twitter at the news, “A huge thank you to all of the MPs and the Industry who supported the STOP Caravan Tax campaign.”

He continued in a news release via the NCC website, “The Treasury and Ministers listened to our arguments. From the beginning, we upheld Government had underestimated the impact and overestimated the net revenue of imposing this tax.”

“The NCC and BH&HPA working together put forward compelling evidence which clearly showed the potentially devastating effect this tax would have had on an industry that is crucial to the well-being of both domestic tourism and of British manufacturing.”

He concluded, “What we have is a manageable increase for an industry that is in gradual recovery after the credit crisis. This move allows our industry to continue to provide a vital component to British tourism, to be competitive, to succeed.”

The political backlash has already started from the decision.  This morning Labour’s shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Reeves, criticised the decision as “a total and utter shambles”.

“These partial U-turns, just a few weeks after ministers were defending the pasty tax and caravan tax, show just how ill-thought through the Budget was and how out of touch David Cameron and George Osborne are.”

Caravan Security CRiS

Vehicle theft peaked in 1992, but since then has been steadily declining. Still upto 1900 touring caravans are stolen each year in the U.K., and there are over 10,000 unsolved cases of caravan theft.

The Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme was established in 1992 in an attempt to combat the high numbers of touring caravans that are stolen each year. CRiS was set up by HPI and the National Caravan Council (NCC). HPI have a long history of checking the registration of cars as they have been doing it since the company was created in 1938.

Every caravan manufactured after 1992, by members of the NCC, now has a 12 digit Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.). This number is put on the chassis and on the windows. And since August 1997 all are fitted with an electronic tag that is embedded somewhere within the main bodywork. This means the police can easily access the information about your caravan should there be an incident. Similarly if the police find a caravan that has been stolen they can easily identify it by using the V.I.N. number.

The advantages of this scheme to buyers and sellers are numerous. Firstly if you are buying a pre-owned caravan you can check that the CRiS numbers all match, thereby identifying its provenance. Secondly you can contact CRiS and have the history of the caravan checked. This enables you to see if it is has been stolen, if it is an insurance write off, if the seller is the registered owner or if there is outstanding finance on it.

CRiS charge £14.95 for this service, but by using it you can rest easy knowing that purchasing the caravan will not cause you any problems later on. Although it is imperative that you make the check before purchasing the caravan.

When buying a CRiS registered caravan you must ensure that you are issued with a Touring Caravan Keeper Registration Document (CVR2). This will be essential should you wish to sell your caravan or should it be stolen. When selling a caravan you must make sure that it becomes registered under the new owners name, CRiS charge a £12.00 fee for this, normally payed by the purchaser.

Of course there are many caravans that were manufactured before 1992. If you own one don’t panic you can still register with CRiS and are advised to do so. Not just for the obvious security benefits but because many insurers will not insure a caravan that is not CRiS registered and it should add value to your caravan.

You can contact CRiS seven days a week on 01722 411 430.

8am – 8pm Monday – Friday
9am – 5pm Saturday
10am – 5pm Sunday