Parthenon Sculptures

Debate between Lord Ricketts and Baroness Twycross

Tuesday 3rd November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I am slightly surprised that the noble Earl is taking this line of questioning. The Government are empowering mayoral strategic authorities and strategic authorities to introduce a potential visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their regions in order to drive economic growth, including full support for the visitor economy. Personally—I know this will be the case for many noble Lords across your Lordships’ House—I think very little of an additional fee when I pay for hotel accommodation overseas routinely. We are clear that local leaders will be setting out plans for how the revenues will be invested by early 2028. There will be plenty of time to discuss how the levy would work and the potential impact. We are clear that this is a positive step to enable mayors to drive their local economies.

[Lord Ricketts (CB)]

My Lords, referring back to a previous answer by the Minister, can she reassure the House—and any international partners who may be listening—that the Government’s intention is to permanently return the Bayeux Tapestry after its sensational run here? I understand that it has had more than 200,000 visitors.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I assure the noble Lord, not least because of his role in ensuring that we were able to bring the Bayeaux Tapestry to the UK for the first time in more than 900 years, that there is no intention to keep the Bayeux Tapestry in this country. It would be over my dead body.

Touring: Impact of EU Exit

Debate between Lord Ricketts and Baroness Twycross

Tuesday 1st September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I would like to think that the Government’s commissioning research on this issue, which we have now published, demonstrates to noble Lords across the House that we take it really seriously. One of the key findings from the report is that reducing the current touring barriers through policy or regulatory changes could generate a range of economic and cultural gains for both sides—it would be mutually advantageous. The loss of GVA to the EU is significantly greater than the loss to the UK, according to this report. I hope that this can form the basis of taking matters forward with the urgency the noble Lord describes, a view which we share.

[Lord Ricketts (CB)]

My Lords, a very precious object that is on tour arrived in the UK recently from an EU country. Will the Minister join me in celebrating the launch very shortly of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition as an example of cultural diplomacy and the benefits of this—not least in inspiring a new generation of children to take an interest in history?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I would like to start by thanking the noble Lord for his considerable efforts in making sure that the Bayeux Tapestry is in the British Museum for the next few months. It is a really good example of how, by working closely with European partners—in this case, our colleagues in France—we have been able to facilitate an historic exhibition. We are hoping that as many people as possible will be able to see it, particularly children and young people. This is a really important moment for this country and our relationship with France.