Debate contribution: VAT for Hospitality

Debate contribution by Ms Sorcha Eastwood on 13 May 2024.

MLA: Ms Sorcha Eastwood
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 13 May 2024
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Opposition Business
Heading: VAT for Hospitality
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4489453

Text

I thank the Member who tabled the motion in order that we can have this conversation. I know that those who work in our hospitality and tourism industries are on their knees. What they will want to hear this evening is people in this Building giving them the solutions and the tools that they need to help make their lives better. Here is a synopsis of where we are at. This is the land of 100,000 welcomes: céad míle fáilte. We are people who love people. We sell stories. That is what this island is about. Can you imagine Timmy Mallett cycling around yet having nowhere to go? That, however, is the real prospect that we face if we do not listen to the people who are out there selling the stories, having the craic agus ceol
and creating that experience for people who come to this island. Many businesses that have had to close their doors in recent months were long-established, successful businesses. They had loyal customers, yet the costs for them were simply too much to bear. I am talking about places such as Clenaghans in Aghalee, in my and David's constituency of Lagan Valley, and, indeed, the Owl and Pussycat Café in Hillsborough. Importantly, the motion refers to the Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Finance working together. That is exactly what we need: collaborative working. We have heard so much about no more working in silos. This is where the rubber hits the road, because we cannot look to support hospitality, tourism and skills in one Department. Collaboration really will be key. As my colleagues outlined, businesses here are grappling with one of the highest VAT rates for hospitality in Western Europe and limited targeted rate relief. Businesses are looking across the water with envy at the support from which others have been able to benefit while they have not. Our amendment notes specifically the need for:
"an independent review of non-domestic rate reliefs".
As I said, our hospitality businesses look at others with envy, but such a review is something that is in our power to undertake now. We simply have too much to lose if things carry on in the same way. Hospitality and tourism are crucial to the vibrancy of local areas and the wider economy. It is about place-making and place-shaping. We have a proud tradition on this island, and in Northern Ireland, of who we are and our localities. Someone mentioned parochialism. Sure, is that not what we have bottled and sold on the international stage? Fair play to us for doing so. Many enter the sector, find their passion and create jobs and livelihoods for others. The choice before us today is to get behind those people and put our shoulder to the wheel to help them. I sincerely hope that we all take the opportunity to listen to them. I thank the Member who tabled the motion and hope that others support our helpful amendment.

498 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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