Alliance chief: "We welcome Bolt's tax exemption, but what about other sports?"

As the Treasury awards a one-off tax amnesty for Usain Bolt and other overseas athletes taking part in this year's London Grand Prix, the Alliance is calling for a fairer approach in future to ensure that other sporting events don't lose out.

Tim Lamb, chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said:

"This decision is a great boost for athletics and in this instance will ensure that the nation will continue to be inspired by top athletes like Bolt competing on our shores one year on from the Games.

"But it's also a tacit admission that our current tax laws aren't working on a day-to-day basis, which is having a direct impact on the quality of sporting events the UK can offer.

"Ad hoc, one-off exemptions only create uncertainty and inequality, so what we really need is a permanet, blanket exemption to be introduced across all sporting events."

The Alliance is also keen to see the government progress its planned Major Sports Events Bill.

"This bill is exactly what sports and major events organisers are looking for – we'd welcome the opportunity to work with the HMRC and the government to push things forward to make it easier for elite sport to win and host major events in the years to come."

Contact the Alliance's communicaitons officer, Libby Jellie, on 020 7976 3933 for more information.