UK to pilot GBP3,000 tourist bond scheme

The UK is reportedly pressing ahead with a GBP3,000 tourist bond scheme, despite widespread condemnation from foreign governments and Downing Street. 

The initiative would see tourists from six ‘high risk’ countries pay a GBP3,000 deposit to enter the UK, which would be given back to them as they left. The scheme is designed as a deterrent to tourists who may outstay the duration of their Visa otherwise, reported the Financial Times.

The six Commonwealth countries have been named as Pakistan, Nigeria, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Kenya.

According to reports, despite the Prime Minister saying the scheme had not been signed off, it was due to be piloted before Christmas, leaving many business owners worried about the implications of foreign tourists going elsewhere.

The newspaper quoted Michael Ward managing director of Harrods as saying: “It’s embarrassing that our country would consider those measures against visitors who spend so much in our stores. There seems to be a deeply frustrating attitude in Westminster that they should do whatever they can to actively prevent people coming to the UK.”