Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Visitor Levies

Thursday 17 October 2024 · 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Lamont questioned the impact of visitor levies in Scotland and Wales on inbound UK tourism.
  • The Minister responded that tourism levies are devolved matters but expressed hope to increase international visitors across the UK.
  • John Lamont warned that levies would discourage tourism and harm small, rural businesses in Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Scotland Wales
Context

The question arises from concerns that imposing taxes on tourists may negatively affect inbound UK tourism by discouraging visitors from exploring rural areas.

Question

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of visitor levies in Scotland and Wales on inbound UK tourism?

Answer from Chris Bryant

Responsibility for tourism levies is devolved, but we want to watch what happens in Scotland and Wales with close interest. One of my main hopes is to increase the number of international visitors to the UK, and ensure more and more visitors come not only to London and the south-east, but travel across the whole United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked for an assessment or impact study on tourism in Scotland and Wales; however, the answer did not provide a specific evaluation of this potential impact.

How: Of Course We Will Look At This, This Is A Matter For The Scottish Government To Decide

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Q2 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Taxation Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Small rural businesses are struggling and fear that additional tax will be detrimental to their sustainability. This concern is prompted by the Scottish Government's proposal for a visitor levy.

Question

Imposing taxes on tourists will only discourage people from enjoying the best of what the Scottish Borders and Scotland have to offer. Many small, rural businesses are struggling to sustain themselves, so I fear the extra tax proposed by the Scottish Government will be the last straw. Does the Minister share my concern about the impact that will have on tourism in Scotland? Will the Government undertake an impact study on the effect the tax will have on tourism, not just in Scotland but across the UK?

Answer from Chris Bryant

Despite having been a Member of the Scottish Parliament, the hon. Gentleman does not seem to understand the basis of devolution. This is a matter for the Scottish Government to decide. We want to have a very positive relationship with the Scottish Administration and, for that matter, the Administration in Wales. Of course we will look at this. The UK Government have no plans to introduce visitor levies at the moment, although there are potential benefits that might accrue to local communities, if they could be got right, but the idea of us investigating what the Scottish Government are doing would be completely wrong.

Not addressed: The specific request for an impact study and assessment of tourist taxes was avoided in favour of discussing devolution responsibilities.

How: This Is A Matter For The Scottish Government To Decide, We Want To Have A Very Positive Relationship With The Scottish Administration

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