With Parliament now in recess, I have been making the most of the opportunity to spend more time across the constituency. It’s been a busy few weeks with visits to local businesses, community groups and constituents, including some of the local tourism sites which play such a vital role in the local economy.
At Ladram Bay, I met with the team to hear about their ongoing investment in facilities and accommodation, including improvements to sustainability and energy efficiency across the site. We discussed the challenges of recruiting seasonal staff, the importance of maintaining high-quality visitor experiences, and how rising operational costs are affecting the sector. It was also encouraging to see first-hand the efforts being made to protect and enhance the natural environment around the park, which is such a key part of its appeal.
I also visited Sandy Bay, where I met with some of the hundreds of staff who are employed during the peak season, this played as a reminder of just how many livelihoods depend on this sector. Haven have invested significantly into the site in recent years, carrying out major renovations and upgrades to facilities. Much of this work has been delivered using local trades and suppliers from across Exmouth and Exeter East, ensuring that the benefits of this investment are felt well beyond the park itself and across our wider community.
Tourism is one of the cornerstones of life here in Exmouth and Exeter East. From our beaches and coastal paths to our holiday parks and local attractions, it draws visitors back year after year. That success is built on the commitment of local staff and business owners, whose efforts ensure visitors have a great experience and want to return. In turn, it brings valuable trade to our shops, restaurants and cafes, supports local suppliers, and helps keep jobs secure across many different parts of our community.
But like many sectors, tourism is facing real challenges. I am disappointed that, despite Government MPs standing on a manifesto pledging to avoid raising tax on “working people”, the Chancellor has announced a series of measures which will see the tax burden rise to 37.5 per cent of GDP by 2028–29 – the highest level in the country’s history. These include increases in business rates for larger sites and higher National Insurance contributions, adding further strain at a time when operators are trying to invest for the future. While the Government must balance the books, we also need to make sure that tax changes do not undermine the sectors that keep areas like ours prosperous.
Tourism is vital to the prosperity and character of our constituency. I will continue to speak up for the businesses, staff and communities that depend on it, and press for policies that allow this cornerstone of our local economy to grow and thrive for years to come.