Phil Hackett

I’ve been having meetings this week - and over the last few months - with @hmtreasury @DCMS @mhclg on @alva_uk asks for the Budget on behalf the attractions sector, broader arts, culture, heritage and nature sectors and members, and #UKtourism. Our asks include: •re-introduce tax free-shopping for overseas visitors as a matter of urgency as we are losing £millions to near European neighbours •encourage local authorities and Metro Mayors to ring-fence the monies raised from the overnight visitor levy for investment in culture, heritage and tourism •make the 10% VAT cut for visitor attractions implemented this Summer permanent, and extend it to hospitality. The last-minute Summer cut had very few beneficial effects for ALVA member customers, created lots of hassle and cost for attractions, put charities at a competitive disadvantage, and did not actually seem to prompt visits but a permanent cut would transform our sectors •abolish VAT on heritage repairs •take a root and branch review of business rates •create a Cultural Recovery Fund-style injection of cash for local authority museums, galleries, heritage sites and green spaces to protect them from further cuts and to build their financial sustainability •encourage DCMS to make the Arts Council England settlement for the next NPO round reflective of the fact that the current settlement has been to continue years of stand-still cash and so, in real terms, has been a significant cut to recipients as it has not taken account of inflation. We wait with hope.

It’s #WorldTourismDay today. Mark Twain famously said “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” In the UK it is also soft power and hard cash; it creates job at all skills levels faster than any other sector; and is one the most important sectors in every @UKParliament constituency. Tourism and culture don’t just grow job and economies, they grow people.

On October 4th, in a couple of week’s time, it will be the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street. It was a violent confrontation between the British Union of Fascists, led by Oswald Mosley, and an alliance of anti-fascist demonstrators, local Jewish residents, socialists, and Irish dockworkers. These people, these communities forced back the march of the fascists. They shall not pass. "¡No pasarán!”. As necessary a cry today as then.

@alva_uk ‘s consistent view on the Overnight Visitor Levy is that were it to be introduced in England the monies collected should be 100% ring-fenced for investment in culture, heritage and tourism (inc marketing and infrastructure). The visitor economy, which is over-taxed and has not recovered to its pre-pandemic strength, should be invested in, not raided.