Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts

Thursday 1st July 2021 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Ansell (Eastbourne) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the recovery of the tourism industry from the covid-19 pandemic.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the recovery of the tourism industry from the covid-19 pandemic.

[Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the recovery of the tourism industry from the covid-19 pandemic.

--- Later in debate ---

[Nigel Huddleston]

It was a joy to join my hon. Friend in her incredibly sunny and warm constituency last week and see at first hand the hard work she has been doing on behalf of her constituents, and particularly those in the tourism sector. I know she shares my view that developing skills and careers within tourism and hospitality is vital for the sector’s recovery. As stated in the tourism recovery plan, we will work closely with the sector to ensure that businesses can employ more UK nationals in year-round better paid, high-quality tourism jobs. Regarding extending the temporary VAT cut, as we discussed last week, including with her constituents, the Government keep all taxes under review. I have noted her suggestion and I am sure that Treasury Ministers have, too.

[Henry Smith [V]]

Inbound tourism in normal times contributes about £28 billion to the UK economy. What discussions has my hon. Friend had with other Departments about reopening safe international travel so that UK tourism jobs can be protected and indeed grown as we go forward?

[Nigel Huddleston]

I know what a great champion my hon. Friend is for tourism and international travel, as we heard at Prime Minister’s questions yesterday. He is right that inbound tourism is vital. A lot of talk has been about outbound tourism, which is also a really important sector, but, in 2019, 40 million visitors came to the UK, spent money and had a great time. We are having frequent conversations. I talk to the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Robert Courts)—the aviation Minister—and others on an almost daily basis. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy also has an interest in this area. I can therefore assure my hon. Friend that we are having many cross-Government discussions about the importance of the tourism, international travel and aviation sectors.