Fantastic news! 👏 Since becoming Chair of the Hospitality & Tourism APPG in 2024, I’ve been calling for a scheme just like this – harnessing the power of hospitality to tackle youth unemployment and open up career opportunities. Delighted to see this becoming a reality, with 100,000 opportunities for young people! Great work by @patmcfaddenmp, @UKHofficial and hospitality businesses across the country for turning this ambition into real opportunities for the next generation!

With the kids back to school and the Illuminations switched on, a fantastic summer season draws to a close. There’s plenty to be proud of – and plenty to look forward to in Blackpool. 🗼 I welcomed Tourism Minister @Steph_Peacock to Blackpool to talk tourism, investment and Blackpool’s future. As chair of the @APPGHandT, I've worked closely with Stephanie for the last two years in Westminster, repeatedly telling her and other senior colleagues all the reasons why Blackpool is the beating heart of British seaside tourism and why it deserves recognition and investment at the very top of government.

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗬 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗬 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗝𝗢𝗕𝗦, 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠 The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism has today published the findings of its inquiry into the Government’s proposed visitor levy on overnight accommodation in England. As Chair of the APPG, I brought together hospitality and tourism businesses, local authorities, trade bodies and industry experts to contribute evidence and examine the potential impact of a visitor levy from a range of perspectives. Hospitality, tourism and leisure are industries that create places people want to live, work and invest in. They have the potential to transform constituencies across the country, including my own. That is why it is so important that we carefully consider the consequences of any new levy on the sector. The message from the evidence is clear: if a visitor levy is introduced, it must be fair, consistent and developed in genuine partnership with the industry. Getting it wrong risks undermining jobs, investment and growth. I hope the Government gives serious consideration to the report’s findings and recommendations. ukhospitality.org.uk/new-inq…

𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism, I have spent the past two years making the case for meaningful business rates reform. Throughout that time, hospitality businesses have delivered one consistent message: soaring costs are putting livelihoods, jobs and cherished local venues at risk. Today, that message has been heard. From April, pubs, clubs and live music venues will benefit from a 20% reduction in business rates - a significant step that will provide much-needed relief for thousands of businesses across the country. Here in Blackpool, hospitality is part of our identity. Our pubs, social clubs, entertainment venues, hotels and family-run businesses are the backbone of our local economy, creating jobs, attracting visitors, supporting supply chains and bringing communities together. This reform will help give many businesses the confidence to invest, grow and continue serving their communities. This announcement should mark the start of a new chapter for hospitality and tourism. The business rates reforms announced today are a significant breakthrough, but they cannot be the final destination. We must now build on the previous Chancellor’s Great British Summer Savings and deliver a permanent lower rate of VAT for the sector. As Chair of the APPG for Hospitality and Tourism, I will continue leading the campaign for further reform - including a permanent lower rate of VAT, wider business rates reform and a long-term strategy that gives businesses the confidence to invest, create jobs and grow. The Prime Minister is right to say this is just the beginning of backing the venues at the heart of our communities. I intend to ensure it is only the first step in a wider programme of reforms that unlocks the full potential of hospitality and tourism as one of Britain’s greatest economic success stories. Chris Webb MP Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism

Blackpool is ready for a huge summer and following the Chancellor’s announcement of the Great British Summer Savings scheme I asked her to come and see it for herself. 🗼 In a real boost for families and for our tourism sector, from 25 June to 1 September, VAT will be cut from 20% to 5% on children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for cinemas, theatres and concerts and entry to attractions including theme parks, museums, zoos, soft play centres and adventure parks. 🎢 (1/3)

As Chair of the APPG for Hospitality and Tourism @APPGHandT, I have joined colleagues writing to the Chancellor regarding the need for business rates reform and the burden currently placed on hospitality businesses. We will continue our important cross-party work to champion the causes critical to hospitality and tourism. @UKHofficial