To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will examine the potential for a Cardiff–Newport–Bristol economic corridor which would examine how transport, infrastructure, investment and closer collaboration between businesses and universities could create an integrated economic corridor to encourage more investment and high-value employment within Wales.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will examine the potential for a Cardiff–Newport–Bristol economic corridor which would examine how transport, infrastructure, investment and closer collaboration between businesses and universities could create an integrated economic corridor to encourage more investment and high-value employment within Wales.

Lords statement on the impact of the Government's proposed overnight visitor levy on the tourism and hospitality sectors in England.

Lords statement on the impact of the Government's proposed overnight visitor levy on the tourism and hospitality sectors in England.

My Lords, it is always a pleasure to see the noble Baroness, Lady Blake, at the Dispatch Box, but it was curious that this Question was not answered by the Tourism Minister in another place and is not being answered by any of the now three Ministers at DCMS in...

My Lords, it is always a pleasure to see the noble Baroness, Lady Blake, at the Dispatch Box, but it was curious that this Question was not answered by the Tourism Minister in another place and is not being answered by any of the now three Ministers at DCMS in...

My Lords, if that was the intention behind the levy, I would have something to say. I am delighted to tell the noble Lord that there will be exemptions. For example, we have many places that have big hospitals where parents or relatives have to stay, so there will be...

My Lords, if that was the intention behind the levy, I would have something to say. I am delighted to tell the noble Lord that there will be exemptions. For example, we have many places that have big hospitals where parents or relatives have to stay, so there will be...

My Lords, will the Minister take this opportunity to confirm that this should not be seen as a way of boosting income for normal expenditure but as a bonus on top? It should be set locally. What happens in Bath, for instance, will probably not be applicable in Barnsley. We...

My Lords, will the Minister take this opportunity to confirm that this should not be seen as a way of boosting income for normal expenditure but as a bonus on top? It should be set locally. What happens in Bath, for instance, will probably not be applicable in Barnsley. We...

The noble Lord raises an important point. It is about putting trust in local areas to work with their local partners and business community to make sure that the benefit comes back into those areas to help promote tourism. We are committed to supporting the tourism industry. I reassure the...

The noble Lord raises an important point. It is about putting trust in local areas to work with their local partners and business community to make sure that the benefit comes back into those areas to help promote tourism. We are committed to supporting the tourism industry. I reassure the...

My Lords, further to the question from the noble Lord, Lord Addington, a key proposal of the Cultural Policy Unit is a city tourism charge that would be ring-fenced for cultural infrastructure, including theatres, museums and heritage sites, which would in a cyclic way help the hospitality sector through encouraging...

My Lords, further to the question from the noble Lord, Lord Addington, a key proposal of the Cultural Policy Unit is a city tourism charge that would be ring-fenced for cultural infrastructure, including theatres, museums and heritage sites, which would in a cyclic way help the hospitality sector through encouraging...

There is no intention for the funds raised to be squandered, but a ring-fenced approach smacks of centralism. It is critical that local areas can determine their needs. I come from an area that has benefited enormously from investment in cultural and sporting events that have brought huge benefits, not...

There is no intention for the funds raised to be squandered, but a ring-fenced approach smacks of centralism. It is critical that local areas can determine their needs. I come from an area that has benefited enormously from investment in cultural and sporting events that have brought huge benefits, not...

My Lords, Italy raises €1.3 billion per year from tourist taxes, with more than 1,400 municipalities implementing the tax. They have a different approach. They earmark the funds to support local tourism, protect cultural heritage and manage the environment. Given that tourists who visit the UK benefit greatly from our...

My Lords, Italy raises €1.3 billion per year from tourist taxes, with more than 1,400 municipalities implementing the tax. They have a different approach. They earmark the funds to support local tourism, protect cultural heritage and manage the environment. Given that tourists who visit the UK benefit greatly from our...

My noble friend raises a point on a similar theme. From my experience of working with the business rates retention pilot back in the day, I know that the most important thing is that we get the right partners around the table in those localities. The businesses and enterprises that...

My noble friend raises a point on a similar theme. From my experience of working with the business rates retention pilot back in the day, I know that the most important thing is that we get the right partners around the table in those localities. The businesses and enterprises that...

My Lords, I declare an interest as one of the mayors who is going to receive the power to implement the overnight levy. Let me put on record and be extremely clear that, for as long as I continue to be Mayor of the Tees Valley, there will be no...

My Lords, I declare an interest as one of the mayors who is going to receive the power to implement the overnight levy. Let me put on record and be extremely clear that, for as long as I continue to be Mayor of the Tees Valley, there will be no...

The noble Lord and I have worked together on many occasions in the past. That is entirely in his remit, and that is why this is not being imposed. It will be a devolved matter. Local mayors and strategic authorities can make their own decisions. That is the fundamental point...

The noble Lord and I have worked together on many occasions in the past. That is entirely in his remit, and that is why this is not being imposed. It will be a devolved matter. Local mayors and strategic authorities can make their own decisions. That is the fundamental point...

Will care be taken to study the levy in Edinburgh, where it has been in force for quite some time, as to both its administration and the effect on businesses and the wider effects across the city?

Will care be taken to study the levy in Edinburgh, where it has been in force for quite some time, as to both its administration and the effect on businesses and the wider effects across the city?

My understanding is that the Edinburgh scheme is relatively new. It was introduced this summer and the estimate is that it has raised £50 million. We will be looking carefully at Edinburgh’s experience. It has not reported any decrease in visitor numbers, and we expect a positive programme of how...

My understanding is that the Edinburgh scheme is relatively new. It was introduced this summer and the estimate is that it has raised £50 million. We will be looking carefully at Edinburgh’s experience. It has not reported any decrease in visitor numbers, and we expect a positive programme of how...

My Lords, is the Minister aware of the Merseyside mayor’s proposals to lever in private sector money using this levy for some exciting schemes that will create wealth, growth and jobs? Does she not think that the mayor of Merseyside will know more about generation than the Tory party, which...

My Lords, is the Minister aware of the Merseyside mayor’s proposals to lever in private sector money using this levy for some exciting schemes that will create wealth, growth and jobs? Does she not think that the mayor of Merseyside will know more about generation than the Tory party, which...

I am absolutely convinced that Mayor Rotheram knows what is best for his local area. He is a passionate advocate of everything to do with Liverpool. Liverpool and Manchester have already introduced a flat-rate levy at the behest of the business community in their areas. It is the businesses that...

I am absolutely convinced that Mayor Rotheram knows what is best for his local area. He is a passionate advocate of everything to do with Liverpool. Liverpool and Manchester have already introduced a flat-rate levy at the behest of the business community in their areas. It is the businesses that...

My Lords, UKHospitality has calculated that this tax will cost 33,000 jobs, raise £1.6 billion and reduce GDP by £2.2 billion. That is its assessment. What assessment have the Government made of the financial impacts of this proposal and will they publish it?

My Lords, UKHospitality has calculated that this tax will cost 33,000 jobs, raise £1.6 billion and reduce GDP by £2.2 billion. That is its assessment. What assessment have the Government made of the financial impacts of this proposal and will they publish it?

It is fair to say that we do not recognise the figures that UKHospitality has put out. We have been working with it incredibly closely through the consultation and will continue to do so. This is a vital part of our economy and we are here to give the support...

It is fair to say that we do not recognise the figures that UKHospitality has put out. We have been working with it incredibly closely through the consultation and will continue to do so. This is a vital part of our economy and we are here to give the support...

Urgent question on the impact of the Government's proposed overnight visitor levy on the tourism and hospitality sectors in England.

Urgent question on the impact of the Government's proposed overnight visitor levy on the tourism and hospitality sectors in England.

(Urgent Question): To ask the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government if he will make a statement on the impact of the Government’s proposed overnight visitor levy on the tourism and hospitality sectors in England.

(Urgent Question): To ask the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government if he will make a statement on the impact of the Government’s proposed overnight visitor levy on the tourism and hospitality sectors in England.