Draft Major Sporting Events (Income Tax Exemption) (World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24) Regulations 2023

Tulip Siddiq Excerpts

Monday 11th December 2023 General Committees

[Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Kilburn) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship once again, Mr Dowd.

As we have heard from the Minister, the regulations provide individuals with an exemption from income tax on income resulting from their involvement in the 19th World Athletics indoor championships, which are to be held in Glasgow. There have been similar regulations for other world-class sporting events, and the Opposition have supported the Government’s efforts to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place. I put on record the Opposition’s continued support for Britain’s hosting world-class sporting events. The UK continues to play host to the very best of global sport. Having been the only girl on the all-boys football team throughout school, it was a particular pleasure for me to see that the 2028 European football championships were recently awarded to all four of our nations, alongside the Republic of Ireland.

In 2024, it will be fantastic to see the great city of Glasgow, which I was in last week, host the world indoor championships, and there will inevitably be a clamour to attend. So many people across the UK, particularly young people, will be inspired by the sporting ability of competitors in Glasgow from our country and beyond, so what is the Minister doing to ensure that everyone who lives in Glasgow gets a fair opportunity to purchase tickets, and is not left out of a great sporting event taking place in their town?

The Opposition will not oppose the statutory instrument, and I am sure that the Minister will join me in wishing the very best of luck to the British athletes selected for next year’s world indoor championships.