Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has criticised the Government in the House of Commons today over their support for the tourist industry.
While Adrian is urging the Government to reduce VAT rates for tourist businesses, which research shows will create tens of thousands of jobs and increase revenues, Tourism Minister Margaret Hodge claimed that free access to museums would equate to such a measure.
The Minister claimed that there were good prospects for the industry in the coming year, with visits from abroad forecasted to be 0.8% above 2009 figures and overall spending rising by 3.8%.
Adrian said, “It’s all very well highlighting the benefits of free museums but Torbay and many other areas currently do not have free museums. It seems ridiculous to compare this to the massive boost in jobs and investment targeted tax cuts would bring.
The research is compelling that this can be achieved and the success already seen in France and Germany shows that lower taxes would boost trade and employment in Torbay almost immediately.”
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