On Monday Waveney MP Peter Aldous raised concerns that the tourism industry have expressed to him about Government proposals to shorten school summer holidays.

 

In plans put forward in the Deregulation Bill to increase school autonomy, all state schools in England will be able to decide their own term dates.

 

In a debate about the Deregulation Bill in the House of Commons, Peter outlined concerns expressed to him by the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions and those working in the sector in the Waveney area:-

 

“I want to say a few words about clause 44, which gives individual schools the ability to set their own term times and potentially reduce summer holidays from six to four weeks. I understand the rationale for that measure both from an educational point of view and from the perspective of giving schools greater autonomy, but there is concern that the measure could have a significant adverse impact on the tourism industry, in particular on family seaside attractions such as Pleasurewood Hills and Africa Alive! in my constituency.

 

Such businesses tend to be concentrated in specific areas, very often on the coast, and they are an important component in the local economy. A good summer season is vital to the viability and profitability of many such businesses. Cutting the traditional summer holiday by a third could be extremely damaging to many local economies around the country.”

 

Commenting on the debate, Peter said:-

 

“I can understand the rationale for these proposals, though I believe that before they are implemented it is important to carry out a full assessment of their possible impact on areas such as Waveney where tourism is an important part of the local economy.”