Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Alex Cunningham

Thursday 20th May 2021 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Huddleston]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right and I pay tribute to his support for the tourism sector—business tourism as well—both in his constituency and right across the country. Business events are indeed highly valuable to the UK economy, directly contributing more than £31 billion each year before the pandemic, supporting a vast supply chain and filling hotels, often in the tourist off-season. The Events Research Programme held its first business event pilot in Liverpool last month, which I was delighted to attend. That is a big step forward in our work to fully reopen the sector. Our tourism recovery plan will soon set out more detail on how we will support business events with their long-term recovery.

[Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)]

What recent steps have the Government taken to fix the red tape issues for touring creative workers caused by Britain leaving the EU.