Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he has taken to support tourism in the South West.

The government has announced a number of policy measures to support tourism in the South West region including;

On 26 January during a visit to Plymouth the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £10 million package for the South West from round 3 of the Coastal Communities Fund to support regional growth including the tourism sector. He also announced a £2 million challenge fund as part of the GREAT Britain campaign to promote regions and cities including in the South West; and £100,000 government funding to support more Small and Medium sized Enterprises to attend a trade fair to promote South West tourism destinations to key international markets.

On 20 February in Bristol the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced £5 million funding towards the transformation of Colston Hall in Bristol into the only international standard concert hall in South West.

On 5 March the Deputy Prime Minister announced £5 million funding to boost tourism in the South West by creating a joined-up strategy for marketing the region.