asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will maintain the existing tonnage tax system for the British shipping industry. [HL3469]

The Government keep all taxes under review. There are no current plans to change the existing support provided to the shipping industry through the tonnage tax regime.

The European Commission is currently consulting member states on aspects of the guidelines for state aids to maritime transport, which cover tonnage tax regimes.

Once the outcome of the consultation is known, the Government will consider what changes, if any, are required to UK tonnage tax in the light of any revisions to the guidelines.