Cádiz, November 16, 2020. – From the VOX Parliamentary Group in the Congress of Deputies they propose that the Pedro Sánchez government lower the VAT on gyms to 10% aware of the serious moments the sector is going through: they suffered months of closure and inactivity during the confinement of the first wave of the pandemic, from March to June, and now their opening hours are significantly restricted, which may lead to a decrease in the number of new members sign-up and a very possible increase in casualties.
In 2012, it was the PP government that dealt a severe blow to the sector by increasing VAT to 21%, which meant that more than half of gyms and sports centers had to reduce their workforce and close more than 800 gyms and sports centers throughout Spain. With the pandemic, they have been closed for more than 3 months and the shadow of ERTES that can be translated into EREs is planning over them.
At VOX we are aware that Promoting a healthy lifestyle, such as going regularly to the gym, has the consequence of promoting access to physical activity and fighting against sedentary life and obesity, which will ultimately lead to less spending on the national health system. For it, We propose, as a first step, a VAT reduction from 21 to 10%, which will undoubtedly translate into lower fees, more supply and more promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
In conversations with Javier Ávila, from the Union of Private Sports Centers and from Autónomos Unidos, he highlights that “Not only have we seen our income drastically reduced, but we have also had to increase the item of expenses, with disinfection equipment, cleaning products, technologies for access control and capacity, etc. And all this while bearing taxes that make the continuity of the activity unfeasible. ", Javier continues stating that «We demand a reduction in VAT from 21% to a reduced VAT of 10%, aid to the sector, extensions and moratoriums on ICO credits, mortgages, premises rents, reductions in utility rates and all the measures that are necessary to be able to get ahead of this situation, without leaving anyone in the way, as this It has led to more than a hundred centers to the definitive closure and if it is not corrected, many more will be doomed to it shortly and we cannot allow it. Families that have taken years to forge a future have to give up everything they have achieved throughout their lives, in some cases with several generations behind their project.
In Cádiz thousands of residents go to these sports centers, whether they are from neighborhoods or from large firms and franchises and Francisco Martín, coordinator of VOX in Cádiz capital states that «A drastic reduction in the VAT tax rate proposed by VOX would mean an increase of more than 20% of users of these facilities, and most importantly, which would translate into combating sedentary lifestyle and disease prevention and in the long run decongest the national Health. It is not acceptable that a gym or private sports center is taxed with 21% VAT, when said establishments promote a practice of healthy lifestyle habits«.
