State of Play: Business events

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Open Non-inquiry session
Opened: 6 Dec 2025 Parliament page
Evidence session on Tuesday 9 December as part of the Major events inquiry.
8 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Letter
Activity timeline 2 events
6 Jul
2026
Report published
24 Jun
2026
Correspondence
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Business events HC 335 6 Jul 2026 14 Pending
Recommendations & Conclusions
14 results
1 Conclusion
2nd Report - Business events
The UK lacks the coordinated leadership, strategic direction and funding models for business events seen...
The UK lacks the coordinated leadership, strategic direction and funding models for business events seen in competitor countries, limiting its ability to compete internationally. (Conclusion, Paragraph 8)
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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2 Recommendation
2nd Report - Business events
We recommend that the government develop and publish a standalone, long‑term national business events strategy...
We recommend that the government develop and publish a standalone, long‑term national business events strategy aligned with the industrial strategy. The strategy should have at its centre a clear statement of the government’s ambition for business events. This should be … Read more
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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3 Recommendation
2nd Report - Business events
We urge the government to maintain funding for promoting UK‑based business events abroad, which is...
We urge the government to maintain funding for promoting UK‑based business events abroad, which is a small investment for the size of the return it generates. (Recommendation, Paragraph 14)
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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4 Conclusion
2nd Report - Business events
We are particularly concerned to hear about a reduction in the size of the team...
We are particularly concerned to hear about a reduction in the size of the team in VisitBritain responsible for supporting and promoting business events. It is a counterproductive move at a time when the focus should be on the economic … Read more
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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5 Recommendation
2nd Report - Business events
We recommend that ministers and VisitBritain reconsider the decision to reduce the size of its...
We recommend that ministers and VisitBritain reconsider the decision to reduce the size of its business events team. (Recommendation, Paragraph 16)
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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6 Conclusion
2nd Report - Business events
Business events need to be seen as a distinct, trade‑driven sector.
Business events need to be seen as a distinct, trade‑driven sector. Their continued positioning within tourism policy risks limiting their impact and competitiveness, especially in light of the recent news about cuts within VisitBritain. (Conclusion, Paragraph 19) 12 Read more
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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7 Recommendation
2nd Report - Business events
The government should treat business events as a standalone priority and transfer responsibility to the...
The government should treat business events as a standalone priority and transfer responsibility to the Department for Business and Trade. The government should also establish a cross‑government structure, with dedicated representation, a clear strategy and sustained funding support. (Recommendation, Paragraph … Read more
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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8 Conclusion
2nd Report - Business events
While ministerial involvement can enhance the international profile and commercial success of events, organisers frequently...
While ministerial involvement can enhance the international profile and commercial success of events, organisers frequently face difficulties in securing attendance, especially in a timely fashion, limiting the sector’s ability to maximise opportunities. Stronger and more consistent ministerial commitment would significantly … Read more
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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9 Recommendation
2nd Report - Business events
We recommend that the government establish clear expectations for ministerial engagement with the sector, including...
We recommend that the government establish clear expectations for ministerial engagement with the sector, including indicative targets for attendance at priority events. Priority events should include those that offer significant opportunities for trade, investment, innovation, or international influence, even where … Read more
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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10 Conclusion
2nd Report - Business events
Rising costs and poor transport connectivity are undermining the UK’s competitiveness, making it a less...
Rising costs and poor transport connectivity are undermining the UK’s competitiveness, making it a less attractive destination for business events compared to European rivals. (Conclusion, Paragraph 27)
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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11 Recommendation
2nd Report - Business events
The government should urgently review cumulative cost pressures on the business event sector (such as...
The government should urgently review cumulative cost pressures on the business event sector (such as VAT, APD (Air Passenger Duty), ETA and business rates) and accelerate investment in regional transport connectivity to match leading European destinations. (Recommendation, Paragraph 28) Read more
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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12 Conclusion
2nd Report - Business events
Post‑Brexit barriers, including visas, bureaucracy and loss of mutual recognition, have damaged the UK’s competitiveness...
Post‑Brexit barriers, including visas, bureaucracy and loss of mutual recognition, have damaged the UK’s competitiveness and reinforced perceptions that it is a more difficult and costly destination for business events. (Conclusion, Paragraph 31)
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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13 Recommendation
2nd Report - Business events
We recommend that the government pursue a Mutual Recognition Agreement for business events with the...
We recommend that the government pursue a Mutual Recognition Agreement for business events with the EU to recognise UK qualifications in the EU. (Recommendation, Paragraph 32)
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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14 Recommendation
2nd Report - Business events
The government should also work to combat perceived perceptions of the UK being a difficult...
The government should also work to combat perceived perceptions of the UK being a difficult location to hold business events, in order to enhance the UK’s competitiveness when bidding for events. We recommend that the government work to simplify visa … Read more
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Correspondence 1 letter
24 Jun 2026 To committee Letter from Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, regarding business event, 24 June 2026
Parliament page