Devon park's plea to Labour delegates: act now to axe IHT changes and save jobs

The head of Lynmouth Holiday Retreat near Exmoor has called on MPs attending this week's Labour party conference to "urgently reconsider" proposed inheritance tax changes.

Ian James says that Devon holiday parks such as his could be forced to sell up in order to meet the tax demands, resulting in the loss of jobs and tourism income for the region.

Labour's Liverpool conference, he said, would be a perfect opportunity for MPs to examine a recent report by CBI Economics.

It showed that the impact of inheritance tax changes on the parks industry will cost the economy more than £130m and lead to 3,000 job losses.

The survey was commissioned by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) of which Ian, who owns four parks in Cornwall, Somerset and Devon, is national chairman.

The report also reveals that many UK camping and holiday parks are already being severely impacted by Government changes to business inheritance tax rules.

They are already taking steps to mitigate the threats posed by cutting back on recruitment and putting their investment plans on hold, said Ian.

Just as worrying, he says, are the CBI's findings that almost one quarter of parks are considering selling up their businesses, or closing them down permanently.

"It is vital the Government uses its conference to re-examine the business case for this change and considers the true economic impact it will have," said Ian.

"Large numbers of parks are already reconsidering their futures despite offering a popular, much-loved and sustainable way for people to enjoy a UK holiday.

"Parks contribute so much to the social and economic wellbeing of local communities, and it would be a tragedy if they were forced to close as an unintended consequence of this change."