Thursday Volume 683 5 November 2020 No. 130 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Thursday 5 November 2020 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2020 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 455 5 NOVEMBER 2020 456 Selaine Saxby [V]: With the announcement of new House of Commons restrictions until 2 December, will the Minister outline the support that will be available to my North Devon Thursday 5 November 2020 tourism and hospitality businesses that are understandably worried about the months ahead? The House met at half-past Nine o’clock Nigel Huddleston: I appreciate that my hon. Friend is PRAYERS a great advocate for tourism, particularly in her constituency. I am fully aware of how tough the new measures will be [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] for the tourism sector, with businesses having already Virtual participation in proceedings commenced faced many months of reduced trade. There are significant (Order, 4 June). packages of financial support in place, as the furlough [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] scheme and self-employed support have been extended for the period of lockdown. Many businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector will also receive grants worth up to £3,000 per month under the local restrictions Oral Answers to Questions support grant scheme. An additional £1.1 billion is being given to local authorities to help businesses more DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT broadly, such as those severely impacted by restrictions but not actually forced to close. The Secretary of State was asked— Loneliness: Winter 2020-21 Tourism Sector: Covid-19 Support Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab): What steps he is Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): taking to tackle loneliness in winter 2020-21. [908251] What steps his Department is taking to support the tourism sector during the covid-19 outbreak. [908249] The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con): What steps his Culture, Media and Sport (Matt Warman): As winter Department is taking to support the tourism sector approaches, loneliness will be a concern for many people. during the covid-19 outbreak. [908254] That is why the Government, as part of our £750-million charity funding package, have put £18 million into The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, charities that tackle loneliness and provide much-needed Culture, Media and Sport (Nigel Huddleston): Covid-19 support, including through online social groups, virtual has had a severe impact on tourism, which is why we buddying, telephone helplines and other activities. That have provided a range of targeted measures to see the is on top of £44 million going towards mental health as sector through this period. On top of the Government’s part of the same package. wider economic support package, we have provided business rates relief and grants for many in the sector, as Navendu Mishra: As we enter the latest lockdown, well as a cut in VAT for tourism and hospitality activities many people will be isolated in their homes. Age UK until the end of March. We are continuing to engage estimates that 2 million over-75s live alone. Research by with stakeholders to assess how we can most effectively the Library has revealed that more than 3,000 households support tourism’s recovery across the UK. in my constituency may lose access to their free TV licence. What impact assessment has the Minister made Andrew Jones: Harrogate and Knaresborough is in of removing funding for the free over-75s TV licence? the top 10% of UK constituencies for hospitality employment. That includes a significant number of Matt Warman: The hon. Gentleman is right to raise teams at B&Bs and guest houses, which are suffering the issue of the over-75s TV licence. The Government from a lack of international visitors and the closure of remain deeply disappointed with the BBC’s decision to the exhibition sector. There is a market that could be restrict the over-75s licence fee concession. We recognise developed further to help, and that is domestic tourism. the value of free TV licences for over-75s. As we emerge from the pandemic and lockdown finishes, what will the Government do to promote domestic National League Football: Covid-19 Support tourism? Nigel Huddleston: I know my hon. Friend’s passion Shaun Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Con): What for tourism and representing his fantastic constituency. steps his Department is taking to support National As he knows, we currently need people to stay at home League football. [908252] to reduce transmission and to ease the pressure on our NHS, but when holidays are permitted again, we will The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and work with VisitBritain, VisitEngland and local partners, Sport (Oliver Dowden): Our football clubs are the bedrock including destination management organisations, to of their local communities, and it is vital that they are champion the UK’s diverse tourism offer, as we did with protected from covid-19. Many have benefited from the the Enjoy Summer Safely and Escape the Everyday unprecedented multibillion-pound package of support campaigns. We will continue to work with the industry that we have provided to all businesses across the United to provide guidance and assurance about when people Kingdom. In addition, we have brokered a unique can safely go on holiday, as demonstrated through £10-million deal with the national lottery so that 66 clubs initiatives such as the “We’re good to go” industry in the top two levels of the national league can continue standard mark. to play behind closed doors. 457 Oral Answers 5 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 458 Shaun Bailey: Of course, this is not just about the outdoor leisure. Exercise outdoors, however, will be national league. I am proud to represent two fantastic allowed with our own households, on our own or with football clubs, Tipton Town and Tividale, which are at one person from another household, which is different real risk of closure as a result of covid-19. Can my right from last time. Of course, no Government or Minister hon. Friend reassure my clubs that the Government will wants to see these kinds of restrictions in place, but we do whatever they can to support them? Perhaps once he believe they are necessary to help to get the R number can, he might even come and meet the clubs to see the down and to get the virus under control. fantastic work that they do in the community. Cat Smith: Initiatives such as “Healthier Fleetwood” Oliver Dowden: I would be delighted to visit my hon. show that people in the town I represent take seriously Friend’s constituency when that is permitted. Of course, the poorer health outcomes that we have in the town I am immensely disappointed by the current situation and are serious about making a difference, but our and the position that we are in, but I know that football swimming pool has been closed since the beginning of clubs large and small make a huge contribution to their the first lockdown and was not reopened when restrictions community on and off the pitch, and I can assure my allowed it to be. Wyre Borough Council and the YMCA, hon. Friend that they will not be forgotten. As soon as who run it, keep telling me that they are concerned we are in a position to start lifting restrictions, grassroots about the level of footfall not being financially viable to sports will be among the first to return, but until then, reopen the pool. What conversations has the Minister we have made sure that families can keep exercising had with Treasury colleagues about financial support throughout this lockdown, and I urge people to get out for swimming pools in areas of deprivation? and get fit. Mr Speaker: Let us hear from the Chair of the Select Nigel Huddleston: I completely understand the challenges Committee. I call Julian Knight. facing many leisure facilities right across the country. Some of them have been able to open, but some have Julian Knight (Solihull) (Con): Thank you, Mr Speaker. not. Some are open, but we are aware that they are in a Today, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee precarious financial state. The Department for Digital, has called before it the English Football League, the Culture, Media and Sport is working closely with Sport Premier League and the Football Association. We want England and the Ministry of Housing, Communities to hear what they are doing in terms of community and Local Government on the design of a £100 million sport and, crucially, to see whether they can sort out the scheme to help leisure centres and leisure facilities. situation for 10, 12 or 15-year EFL football clubs that Further details of this will be released shortly, and once are potentially going under and ripping the heart out of the fund is open, we urge leisure centres to bid for the our communities, as happened in Bury last year. Will money and urge people to make the most of these the Minister join me in urging the football bodies to precious facilities. follow the example of other sports and finally put the squabbling aside and come to a proper deal for the good Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): I want to ask of the game? the Minister about the broader issue. Many people in this country wanted the lockdown to come sooner than Oliver Dowden: I agree with my hon. Friend 100%. I it has, and perhaps the most compelling cases I have am very disappointed by the current situation and the heard come from those who work in the NHS, but those inability of football to reach that agreement.