Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Tourism Levy: Jobs

Wednesday 11 December 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gregory Stafford asked about discussions with the Welsh Government regarding the impact of a tourism levy on jobs, noting potential regional challenges without specific compensation details.
  • Darren Paffey questioned the Conservative party's stance on supporting a tourism levy, citing successful schemes in Manchester and other global destinations.
  • Mims Davies inquired about the proposed tourism tax's impact on job losses and revenue in Wales, with the Secretary of State refuting the figures and highlighting the success of similar levies in Manchester.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Economy Employment Wales
Context

The question arises from the Welsh Government's proposed Bill to introduce a levy on overnight stays in visitor accommodation.

Question

What discussions have been had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of the proposed tourism levy on jobs in Wales?

Answer from Jo Stevens

More than 40 countries and holiday destinations have introduced a form of visitor levy, including Greece, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and California. The money from such levies helps support a long-term thriving tourism industry in Wales. However, no specific compensation plan is mentioned for communities hit harder by the levy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specifics on how communities will be compensated for regional impact

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Q2 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Taxation Wales
Context

Following concerns about the uneven impact of a potential tourist levy across Wales, this supplementary question seeks clarity on regional assessments.

Question

Has she assessed the regional impact of this levy? Although it can be levelled out and absorbed across Wales as a whole, some communities will face more significant challenges. How will they be compensated?

Answer from Jo Stevens

More than 40 countries have introduced a form of visitor levy. The money helps support tourism in Wales, but no specific details on compensating regions with greater economic challenges due to the levy are provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specifics on compensation for communities hit harder by the levy

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Q3 Darren Paffey Lab Southampton Itchen
Wales
Context

A supplementary question urging support for a tourism levy based on successful international precedents.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that the success of similar schemes in Manchester and other global tourist destinations shows that the Conservatives should stop fear-mongering and support something beneficial for Welsh tourism?

Answer from Jo Stevens

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, such levies are already common in more than 40 countries and destinations worldwide, including Manchester where it has been highly successful.

Answered
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Q4 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
Economy Wales
Context

Concerns over the economic impact of a proposed tourism levy in Wales, including potential job losses and reduced visitor revenues.

Question

Tourism is vital to Wales. However, Labour's new tourism tax has caused attraction closures and strikes. Does the Secretary of State agree that 700 tourism jobs and £40 million revenue will be lost due to this proposal?

Answer from Jo Stevens

I do not recognise any figures presented by the hon. Lady. In Manchester, a similar scheme has raised £2.8 million in one year, showing that such levies can be highly successful.

Not addressed: Addressed potential job losses and revenue loss with different data from Manchester rather than Wales

How: Changing Subject To Another Location'S Scheme Success

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