Travel bodies welcome Chancellor’s Spring Statement

UKinbound has welcomed Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Spring Statement, saying it contains policies that will have a positive effect on the UK’s tourism industry. 

These include the building of new homes, which will help to alleviate the lack of affordable housing in the UK, which is one of the reasons that prompts many EU employees to return home.

It also welcomed plans for improved public transport, which will encourage tourists to explore England’s cities, and more reliable broadband to help rural tourism businesses to connect and market their products.

The announcement of an air passenger duty consultation in Northern Ireland will also provide the tourism industry with a further opportunity to demonstrate the positive impact of abolishing APD and VAT on tourism businesses, said UKinbound.

CEO Deirdre Wells added: "I am encouraged by today’s Spring Statement which included several policies that directly impact on the UK’s tourism industry. ~These include improving England’s transport links, digital connectivity and consulting on the impact of Air Passenger Duty and VAT.

"Affordable housing has also been highlighted by a number of our members as a reason their EU employees are starting to return home so we are encouraged that the Government is ‘getting on with the job’ of building more affordable homes, which should help encourage skilled EU workers, that our industry heavily relies on, to stay in the UK post Brexit."

The Chancellor announced that a further 27,000 further homes will be built in London by the end of 2021-22.

"It is also encouraging that a review has been confirmed into the impact of APD and VAT on tourism in Northern Ireland. Along with our tourism partners, we will be calling on all those in the industry to submit evidence they have that demonstrates its negative impact," added Wells.

The GMTC also welcomed the Spring Statement, in which Hammond said the growth forecast for the UK for 2018 had been revised upwards from 1.3% to 1.5%.

"In addition to the positive forecasts for growth announced by the Chancellor in today’s Spring statement it was encouraging to see further positive steps forward on announcements made in the Autumn Budget," it said.

The Chancellor also announced £95 million would be spent rolling out full fibre broadband in 13 areas.

"The increase in research and development funding with the first allocation for the development of 5G technology is welcome news for the business travel community – particularly those who travel by rail – and seek to improve productivity whilst on the move," added GTMC.

"Likewise, the announcement that cities will now be invited to bid for financing from the new Transforming Cities Fund announced last November is also positive.

"In order to build opportunities for growth beyond London and the South East businesses in regions across the UK need the infrastructure and routes to travel. It is also encouraging to see support for small businesses maintained with the allocation of a fund to engage apprentices.

"However, it is important for business owners, business travellers and the government to remember that opportunities for growth lie not only in the domestic market but also overseas. Any future investment plans, bids and decisions made around investment in business growth and regional transport networks must pay careful consideration to improving transport links not only on our road and rail networks but also on surface connections to regional airports to enable travel and growth both within the UK and on an international scale."