Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Welsh Tourism Industry

Wednesday 12 March 2025 · 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

  • Joe Robertson questioned the Secretary of State about reducing the tax burden on the tourism and hospitality sector to support local economies in Wales and on the Isle of Wight.
  • Henry Tufnell inquired about the work being done with the Welsh Government regarding a visitor levy to support the tourism industry, noting that such levies are common in many countries and destinations.
  • The Secretary of State responded that tourism is crucial for the economy of Henry Tufnell's constituency, Mid and South Pembrokeshire, and mentioned that a visitor levy could raise up to 33 million for tourism.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Joe Robertson Con Isle of Wight East
Taxation Transport Wales
Context

The MP noted that the UK tourism and hospitality sector is one of the most heavily taxed in Europe. He referenced his constituency's reliance on tourism.

Question

The tourism and hospitality sector in the UK is one of the most heavily taxed in Europe. Will the Secretary of State press the Chancellor to reduce the tax burden in this area to help drive local economies that rely on tourism in Wales and in constituencies such as mine on the Isle of Wight?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)

I would gently remind the hon. Gentleman that his party in government put the highest tax burden in 70 years on the people and businesses of this country, leaving a £22 billion black hole that we have had to try to sort out.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not provide a commitment to push for reducing taxes but instead criticised the previous government's tax policy.

How: Criticising Previous Government

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Q2 Henry Tufnell Lab Mid and South Pembrokeshire
Wales
Context

The MP mentioned that more than 40 countries have introduced visitor levies, citing examples like Greece and Amsterdam. He highlighted the importance of tourism in his constituency.

Question

More than 40 countries and holiday destinations around the world have introduced a form of visitor levy, including Greece, Amsterdam, Barcelona and California. What work is the Secretary of State doing with the Welsh Government to support our vital tourism industry?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)

My hon. Friend has one of the most beautiful constituencies in Wales, and I know that tourism is critical to his local economy. Indeed, tourism probably remains the only way to see a Conservative MP in Wales after the general election. The visitor levy is set to raise up to £33 million for the tourism sector across Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary mentioned the visitor levy but did not provide specific details on work being done with the Welsh Government.

How: Criticising Opposition

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