Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Government of Mexico on the protection of the Christian and indigenous communities displaced in May by organised criminal violence in Guerrero State.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 8 June in response to Question 5388 - which for ease of reference is reproduced below:
The UK is committed to promoting freedom of religion or belief and to the freedom of expression globally. We are concerned by reports of violence against indigenous and rural communities in Mexico. Any violence against indigenous communities must be fully investigated. We regularly engage with the Mexican authorities and civil society on the issue of the protection of civilians, as well as with the UN in Mexico on the effective investigation of crimes against human rights defenders.
A Bill to make provision to modify the effect on domestic law of arrangements relating to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union; and for connected purposes.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the provisions of the Windsor Framework relating to VAT on the ability to reduce the rate of VAT for the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK’s standard VAT rate of 20 per cent is close to the OECD average of 19.3 per cent and is forecast to raise almost £190 billion in 2026/27.VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT on services, including hospitality, does not fall within the scope of the Windsor Framework.
There are no current plans to introduce regionally differentiated VAT rates for hospitality, which would add complexity to the tax system.
The Government has announced the Great British Summer Savings scheme. This provides a temporary reduction in VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent from 25 June to 1 September 2026 on eligible children’s meals, family leisure tickets and admission to summer attractions across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, providing targeted support for families and for hospitality and tourism businesses across the UK.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions have been held with the Northern Ireland Executive about differential VAT rates for areas of the UK which are in direct competition with hospitality businesses in another jurisdiction.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK’s standard VAT rate of 20 per cent is close to the OECD average of 19.3 per cent and is forecast to raise almost £190 billion in 2026/27.VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT on services, including hospitality, does not fall within the scope of the Windsor Framework.
There are no current plans to introduce regionally differentiated VAT rates for hospitality, which would add complexity to the tax system.
The Government has announced the Great British Summer Savings scheme. This provides a temporary reduction in VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent from 25 June to 1 September 2026 on eligible children’s meals, family leisure tickets and admission to summer attractions across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, providing targeted support for families and for hospitality and tourism businesses across the UK.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment has been made of the impact of the 20 per cent VAT rate on the competitiveness of the UK tourism and hospitality sectors.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK’s standard VAT rate of 20 per cent is close to the OECD average of 19.3 per cent and is forecast to raise almost £190 billion in 2026/27.VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT on services, including hospitality, does not fall within the scope of the Windsor Framework.
There are no current plans to introduce regionally differentiated VAT rates for hospitality, which would add complexity to the tax system.
The Government has announced the Great British Summer Savings scheme. This provides a temporary reduction in VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent from 25 June to 1 September 2026 on eligible children’s meals, family leisure tickets and admission to summer attractions across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, providing targeted support for families and for hospitality and tourism businesses across the UK.