Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay yesterday asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, John Whittingdale MP.
‘The Secretary of State will be aware of how important the tourism industry is to Cornwall, but is he aware of the damage that the Government’s current rules, which restrict families from taking their children out of school during term time, are having on the Cornish economy? Visit Cornwall estimates that it has cost the Cornish economy about £50 million. Will the Secretary of State be willing to meet me to discuss how we might address this issue and support the Cornish tourism industry?’
Commenting Steve said,
‘I am pleased that the Secretary of State said that he understands the issue of the school attendance changes although I am not sure that he understands the impact that these changes are having on Cornwall.
I am approached on a weekly basis by not only hardworking parents who are unable to take time off during school holidays due to working in the seasonal tourist industry, but also many local businesses who tell me of the devastating impact these changes are having on their takings.
I will continue to work with the Cornish tourist industry in raising this matter urgently with both the Department for Culture and Media and Sport and the Department of Education to ensure that the voices of the people of St Austell and Newquay are heard loud and clear.’