Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Helen Grant and Bob Russell

Thursday 26th February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

VAT is a matter that is constantly raised with me, but it is one for the Chancellor. He keeps all taxes under review, and I am sure that he will keep this one under review too. The hon. Gentleman might like to know that I am holding a round-table meeting on VAT with the industry in the next two weeks.

[Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)]

rose—

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Helen Grant and Bob Russell

Thursday 3rd July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)]

Tourism is a major economic generator in Colchester. Does the Minister agree that the best way to support tourism is by reducing VAT on tourism to 5%? Will he have a chat with the Chancellor, please?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mrs Helen Grant)]

As my hon. Friend knows, VAT is a matter for the Chancellor. We keep all taxes under review, but there is no plan to reduce tax for the tourism sector.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Helen Grant and Bob Russell

Thursday 12th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)]

10. When she last met representatives of the Football Association and the Football League to discuss their stewardship of professional football.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mrs Helen Grant)]

I have regular meetings with the English football authorities to discuss a range of issues, including the stewardship of professional football.

[Sir Bob Russell]

I think there is general agreement that professional football in this country is rotten to the core, not least as a result of parasitic agents taking millions of pounds a year out of the game and of football wasting its riches in the same way as successive Governments wasted the North sea oil revenues. The Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport has done a good job with its report and recommendations, but does the Minister agree that what we need now is a royal commission on professional football in order to clean up the game?

[Mrs Grant]

I do not agree with my hon. Friend. The football authorities introduced reforms in August, including smaller boards and a new licensing system, to deal with ownership and financial matters and to improve relations with supporters. That is certainly a start, but more definitely needs to be done. If it is not done, there is always the option of legislation.