Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Naomi Long

Tuesday 14th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

One measure that I know my hon. Friend will be well aware of was the reform of research and development tax credits. We are making those more generous and bringing in a new above-the-line R and D tax credit. That is making the UK increasingly competitive in this sector.

[Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance)]

Developing countries need assistance from the west with collecting the tax due to them from multinational companies. How will the Government use their presidency of the G8 to ensure specifically that the strengthening of disclosure standards takes place multinationally?

[Mr Gauke]

The hon. Lady is right to raise this issue, which we touched on earlier. One of our priorities for the G8 presidency is to bring forward measures on tax evasion and tax avoidance. It is worth pointing out what the Prime Minister said in an article in The Wall Street Journal yesterday; he wants to encourage

“better global reporting to tax authorities in both the developed and developing world”.

That could make a big difference.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Naomi Long

Tuesday 11th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

There is no doubt that such a policy would be taking an enormous risk with interest rates and our credibility. This Government are not prepared to take that risk.

[Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance)]

11. If he will commission research to determine the effect of air passenger duty on UK holidaymakers, employment and economic growth.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Naomi Long

Tuesday 6th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance)]

5. What recent assessment he has made of the effect on tourism of differential rates of VAT in the hospitality industries in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

The number of overseas visitors to Northern Ireland grew by an estimated 11% in the first half of 2011, compared with just 7% over the first 10 months in the Republic of Ireland. Building on that performance, marketing campaigns by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland are expected to draw 150,000 more visitors to Northern Ireland, create over 600 new jobs, and provide an additional £24 million in revenue for the economy in 2012.

[Naomi Long]

The Minister is right to draw attention to the success that Northern Ireland has enjoyed as a result of the efforts of the Northern Ireland Assembly. However, given that tourism is so price-sensitive, will the Government think again about the potential offered by a VAT reduction? We are currently the only part of the European Union that does not support our tourism industry in that way. Will the Minister reconsider, so that we can try to maximise the potential and grow even more jobs in the sector?

[Mr Gauke]

As I have said, Northern Ireland tourism is doing well at present. Were we to pursue a relief along the lines adopted in the Republic of Ireland, it would involve a cost of some £8 billion, £9 billion or perhaps even £10 billion, which would have to be made up for by higher taxes or spending cuts elsewhere.