Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the scope of the Global Travel Taskforce’s 12 April 2021 report on the reopening of international travel is planned to include the cruise sector for national cruises and international cruises.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The Global Travel Taskforce report will consider a safe and sustainable reopening of international travel. International cruises will be included within the scope of this report.
Domestic cruises within England will restart under step three of the Government’s Roadmap out of lockdown. This will align with the opening up of domestic indoor tourism and hospitality and will occur no earlier than 17 May.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to protect the interests of UK recreational boaters who travel to the EU after the end of the transition period.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Recreational vessels bought in the UK after the end of transition or another non-EU country will be subject to VAT rules when entering the customs territory of the EU. To avoid payment of customs duties or VAT, owners would be able to use the EU’s temporary admission procedure. The rules for temporary admission are confirmed in the EU Commission guidance.
In addition, national rules will apply to recreational vessels in individual EU Member States. In most cases these will not be affected by the end of the Transition Period. We are aware that prospective changes to these rules in some EU Member States might affect UK recreational boaters. The Government is making representations to these Member States on behalf of recreational boaters affected by such national legislation. However, it is for recreational boaters to ensure they meet national rules that apply in the relevant Member State.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with representatives of the cruise ship sector on resumption of their operations as covid-19 restrictions are eased.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
I fully recognise the impact that the global COVID-19 pandemic has had on the UK cruise sector and I would like to place on record my recognition of the proactive action it took to suspend operations and to work tirelessly with Government to repatriate thousands of passengers and crew.
The cruise sector and, the supply chains it supports, makes a highly significant contribution to the UK economy with the industry estimating that it generates a total of around £10bn for the Country’s economy each year.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department’s officials and I have held regular calls with the cruise sector on a wide range of operational and financial issues and continue to do so. We will actively support the sector as it develops a pathway towards the safe resumption of cruises which I know many millions of people in the UK have enjoyed and will want to again.