Labour" ignores tourism crisis" say Tories

The "crisis in tourism" that has affected London has not been taken seriously by the Labour government, the shadow culture secretary said today.

Speaking at the launch of the Conservatives' Common Sense for London campaign, Peter Ainsworth said the foot-and-mouth crisis had affected tourism in the capital more than the Government will believe.

Quoting London Tourist Board figures, Ainsworth said: "London is not immune to the desperate plight of tourism. London tourist businesses face a 20% drop in visitor numbers, and revenue losses of over £1b.

"London, which is of course the primary gateway to other destinations, is suffering from the government's perverse refusal to provide the necessary funds needed to attract visitors back to Britain."

The Government has outlined a £275m package of short-term aid for the UK tourism industry, but this isn't enough, Ainsworth said.

"Conservatives have repeatedly called on Labour to take this crisis in tourism seriously," said Ainsworth. "On Wednesday, people from tourism businesses all over the country came to the capital to voice their disgust at a government that has let them down appallingly."