Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Jamie Wallis Excerpts
Tuesday 22nd June 2021

(2 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jamie Wallis Portrait Dr Jamie Wallis (Bridgend) (Con) [V]
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Will my right hon. Friend confirm that he will not introduce a tourism tax in England? Does he agree that if the Welsh Government were to do that in Wales, that tax bombshell would leave tourism businesses such as those in Porthcawl in my constituency at a distinct competitive disadvantage?

Jesse Norman Portrait The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jesse Norman)
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Of course, local taxation in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Government. The UK Government’s primary focus, as my hon. Friend will be aware, has been on supporting recovery from the pandemic, and we recognise that the tourism sector has been particularly hard hit. That is exactly why we have provided more than £7 billion so far through the reduced VAT rate for the hospitality, accommodation and attraction industries across the UK; it is why we have extended the reduced rate until 30 September 2021; and it is why we have put in place a much wider array of support as we come out and play it long in relation to the pandemic.