Culture, Media and Sport

In a debate in the House of Commons, the Government's position was outlined by the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, Chris Bryant. He stated that responsibility for tourism levies is devolved, but the Government will watch with close interest what happens in Scotland and Wales. The Minister emphasized the Government's desire to increase the number of international visitors to the UK and ensure they travel across the whole United Kingdom, not just to London and the South-East. The official opposition responded through John Lamont, who expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed tourist tax in Scotland, arguing that it would discourage people from enjoying the best of what the Scottish Borders and Scotland have to offer. Lamont urged the Government to undertake an impact study on the effect the tax would have on tourism, not just in Scotland but across the UK. The debate that followed covered a wide range of topics. The Government representatives, including the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Stephanie Peacock, discussed steps to promote the Scottish Highlands as a film location, support for multi-sport grassroots facilities, and the importance of grassroots and non-league football. They also addressed the impact of youth services on levels of antisocial behaviour in the Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes constituency, the Government's discussions with the creative industries on the use of artificial intelligence, and the Government's plans to support the financial sustainability of English football. The opposition members, such as Yuan Yang and Jim Dickson, raised concerns about the financial mismanagement of football clubs like Reading and the harmful effects of gambling, respectively. They urged the Government to take action to address these issues, including through the introduction of a football governance bill and measures to tackle problem gambling. Throughout the debate, the Government representatives emphasized their commitment to supporting the creative industries, grassroots sports, and young people, while also acknowledging the need to strike a balance between protecting people from the harms of gambling and supporting the industry. The discussion highlighted the Government's focus on addressing the challenges faced by various sectors and working collaboratively with stakeholders to find solutions.