Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jo Stevens and Gregory Stafford

Wednesday 11th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Jo Stevens]

The Government have no plans to nationalise British Steel.

[Gregory Stafford (Farnham and Bordon) (Con)]

3. What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of the proposed tourism levy on jobs in Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)]

The Welsh Government have introduced a Bill in the Senedd that will give local authorities in Wales the choice to introduce a levy on overnight stays in visitor accommodation. It will be for individual councils to decide whether they will introduce a small charge paid by people staying overnight in commercially let accommodation in Wales to help support a thriving tourism industry.

[Gregory Stafford]

I thank the Secretary of State for her response, but has she assessed the regional impact of this levy? Although the impact can perhaps be levelled out and absorbed across the whole of Wales, some communities are clearly going to be hit harder than others. How will they be compensated for the impact?

[Jo Stevens]

More than 40 countries and holiday destinations around the world have introduced a form of visitor levy, including Greece, Amsterdam, Barcelona and California, and many of us have paid such levies abroad without noticing. The money will help to support a long-term thriving tourism industry in Wales. I am confident that the Welsh Government will work with businesses and tourists alike to get this right.