Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Tourism Industry: Devon and Cornwall

Thursday 16 November 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kevin Foster inquired about recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding Government support for the tourism industry in Devon and Cornwall.
  • Kevin Foster asked about representations being made to the Chancellor to freeze the business rate multiplier and extend the 75% relief for hospitality for an additional year.
  • The Minister discussed a range of issues affecting tourism in Devon with the Great South West tourism partnership and acknowledged the importance of these issues to the tourism sector.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kevin Foster Con
Business & Trade
Context

The question pertains to recent discussions on Government support for the tourism sector in Devon and Cornwall.

Question

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on Government support for the tourism industry in Devon and Cornwall?

Answer from John Whittingdale

I was pleased to visit south Devon in August and to meet members of the Great South West tourism partnership. I am also pleased that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have recently been accredited as a local visitor economy partnership and that Devon is working with VisitEngland towards potential accreditation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues about Government support for tourism in Devon and Cornwall.

How: Changed Subject To Meeting Details And Accreditation Statuses

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Kevin Foster Con
Taxation Business & Trade
Context

The tourism sector in the region is iconic but faces challenges with rising business rate bills. The question seeks representation details regarding freezing the business rate multiplier and extending 75% relief.

Question

While it is for the Chancellor to set out tax changes, can he outline what representations he is making to the Chancellor to freeze the business rate multiplier and extend the 75% relief for hospitality for a further year?

Answer from John Whittingdale

I discussed a range of issues affecting tourism in Devon with the Great South West tourism partnership. We covered a lot of ground, and I know that those issues are of great importance to the tourism sector. Of course, we are in regular dialogue with the Treasury, but it is a matter for the Chancellor, as my hon. Friend says.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on specific representations made to the Chancellor regarding business rate multiplier and 75% relief extension.

How: Changed Subject To Regular Dialogue With Treasury Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email