Written questions by Griffiths.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Overnight Visitors Levy on domestic tourism.

Awaiting answer.

Whether HM Treasury has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Overnight Visitors Levy on visitor numbers in coastal and seaside communities.

Awaiting answer.

If she will publish assessments her Department has made of the potential impacts of the proposed Overnight Visitors Levy on (a) small and medium-sized businesses operating in the hospitality and tourism sectors and (b) employment in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Awaiting answer.

What comparative assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy in England on (a) coastal visitor economies with shorter average stays and lower average visitor spend and (b) major urban destinations.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy in England on levels of displacement of overnight stays in levy areas to nearby non-levy areas; and whether she has modelled the potential impact of such displacement on coastal and seasonal visitor economies.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a overnight visitor levy in England on levels of visitor spend in local high streets, hospitality businesses, and attractions in levy areas.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

What estimate her Department has made of the annual administrative and compliance costs of an overnight visitor levy in England for small and independent accommodation providers, including guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, campsites, self-catering properties and short-term lets.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

What estimate she has made of the cost of extending business rates relief beyond 31 March 2026 for premises used for community sport; and whether she has considered a sector-specific relief for grassroots sports clubs.

Currently, properties which are wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes, including community amateur sports clubs, are eligible for charitable relief, which provides businesses with up to 80% off their business rates bills. Provision of further relief to charitable properties is at the discretion of local authorities.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of expanding digital customs clearance systems on levels of administration undertaken by UK traders.

HMRC uses the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) to manage the clearance of goods. This digital service successfully handles millions of customs declarations every month. No specific assessment of the potential impact of expanding digital customs clearance systems on levels of administration undertaken by UK traders has been undertaken. Estimates of the administrative burden of import and export declarations for trade between Great Britain and the European Union are published at the following link: Estimating the customs administrative burden of 2022 declarations - GOV.UK. HMRC is committed to making customs processes as simple as possible while ensuring effective checks are in place at the border, and we continue to work closely with the border industry to streamline processes and support the flow of legitimate goods. The Government recognises the benefits from trade digitalisation for business and management of the goods border. The UK was the first G7 country to put electronic trade documents on the same legal footing as paper documents. The Trade Strategy sets out plans to make sure government and traders alike harness digitalisation to speed up and simplify process. As part of this HMRC is working with industry partners to test how commercial data drawn directly from electronic paperwork can be read and processed by HMRC to meet customs requirements.

What recent analysis she has undertaken of the competitiveness of UK border processes compared with those of key trading partners.

The UK is a member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and a contracting party to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The UK is fully committed to the standards set by the WCO and the obligations set out in the TFA. The TFA aims to modernise and simplify international trade procedures to reduce costs, delays, and uncertainties at borders. The UK also engaged constructively with the WTO’s recent Trade Policy Review of the UK. Further information on which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/united-kingdoms-trade-policy-review-closing-statement-from-the-uk

Whether his Department offers protection to staff from unfair dismissal from their first working day.

HMT staff must have completed 2 years’ service to be protected against unfair dismissal. The new Employment Rights Bill will amend the law on unfair dismissal to protect staff from their first working day. HMT will implement this legislative change when it comes into force.