Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Morgan of Cotes and Vince Cable

Thursday 3rd October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Sir Vince Cable (Twickenham) (LD)]

1. What recent steps she has taken to support the tourism sector.

[The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Nicky Morgan)]

Thank you for calling me to respond, Mr Speaker, and I hope that your voice is fully recovered very soon.

The UK tourism industry is of vital importance to the UK, with 38 million visitors from overseas in 2018 spending £22.9 billion. A total of 1.6 million jobs are supported by the sector, and the Government are working closely with the industry on delivering both the tourism sector deal and the international business events action plan.

[Sir Vince Cable]

Since the expansion of the tourist industry has undoubted economic benefits but significant local costs, will the Minister accede to the request of local authorities of different political persuasions for the right to impose a small levy on overnight stays to defray some of those costs?

[Nicky Morgan]

It is important to have a sensible conversation on this subject, and the Government are always keen to hear the views of all stakeholders. As the right hon. Gentleman implies, tourism brings great benefits to local areas but there are undoubtedly some costs and strains on the local economy. If he wishes to write to me with any further proposals, we are always interested to hear them.