Cuts set to hit Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Tourism is set to suffer from the £66m of financial cuts which are expected to be made by the renamed Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Newly appointed Secretary of State for the department, Jeremy Hunt, told the BBC’s Newsnight that none of the department’s budgets are protected. He said that he is looking at all of the budgets within the department, which currently includes tourism, to see if money can be saved without affecting core services.

An announcement is expected to be made soon regarding the appointment of a minister to look after the tourism portfolio.  In the run up to the election, Hunt told Caterersearch that the Conservatives intended to a create a dedicated Minister for Tourism, without being encumbered by other responsibilities such as libraries and the arts.

“We believe that by creating a minister whose sole responsibility is to engage with the industry and champion the plight of the industry within Parliament, we can strengthen the voice of this vital industry,” he said.

A spokesman for the DCMS said that despite the Liberal Democrats now being part of the new coalition government, it is unlikely that their wish to move tourism to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills would be fulfilled.

Hunt, who was shadow culture secretary from 2007 until the general election, said he was delighted with his new appointment.

“Our sectors – particularly creative industries, culture and tourism – are vital elements in the UK’s economic recovery,” he said.

“And the successful delivery of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London gives us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase the country to the world in what will, quite literally, be the greatest show on Earth.
 
“I know there is an incredible appetite for change across the country and I want the department to be at the forefront of making it happen.”

Election 2010: What will the parties do for hospitality? >>

Tourism minister attacks quality of hotels and visitor attractions in UK >>

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