Questions Without Notice from the Party Leaders

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:51 pm on 15 June 2021.

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Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 1:51, 15 June 2021

Well, First Minister, you will not indicate your use of income tax powers. You have indicated more clearly in your second answer the use of a social care levy, surcharge—call it what you will—and ruled out an education levy surcharge, which I’m grateful for you doing that. But one thing your programme for government does talk about is a tourism tax and actually consulting on the legislative proposals that such a measure would require to be brought in here in Wales. Can you indicate to me how you believe such a measure would help the tourism sector here in Wales when we know that high taxation actually impedes economic growth? I start from the position of low taxes encourage economic growth because they encourage people to go out, take the risks, take the challenges, and grow that economy. But your programme for government clearly indicates that you’re going to bring in a tourism tax, so how on earth will that help a vital sector of our economy repair itself after the COVID crisis?