The results of the Government’s one-year spending review were announced today. The highlights for tourism include:
- A funding increase for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) from £1.5bn to £1.6bn which is a 4.1% increase in real terms. This includes:
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- continuation of the Discover England Fund to promote inbound tourism and showcase visitor destinations across England
- continuation of funding for the Great Campaign of £60m (delivered through The Department for International Trade)
- an additional £46 million for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games
- inflation linked increases for national museums and galleries, Arts Council England and Sport England
- The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) also received a 3.3% increase (£452m) for environmental protection including £30m of new money to tackle air pollution and £30m towards preserving biodiversity. Also an additional £20 million to support delivery of the replacement for the Common Agricultural Policy in England, which will prioritise environmental outcomes
- The Towns Fund will receive £241 million in 2020-21 to support the regeneration of high streets, town centres and local economies; and
- £275 million will go towards maintaining rail infrastructure in 2020-21 compared to 2019-20 and over £200 million of increased funding to transform bus services, making best use of technology and promoting decarbonisation
