England Mayors to Gain Power for Overnight Tourist Levy, With No Upper Rate Cap
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 10
England Mayors to Gain Power for Overnight Tourist Levy, With No Upper Rate Cap
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 10
Summary
Thursday's plans will let mayors in England impose an overnight visitor levy as a percentage of accommodation costs, with local leaders deciding whether to adopt it and how to spend the proceeds.
The government says the percentage model protects cheaper stays better than a flat fee and fits its devolution agenda, with Angela Rayner due to discuss details with mayors.
London and other big cities are expected to be among the likeliest users of the power, which could make holidays in England more expensive where local authorities choose to act.
The policy mirrors systems already used abroad and in Britain: Edinburgh began a 5% levy in July, Glasgow's 5% charge starts in January 2027, and Wales plans a £1.30 nightly levy next April.
Could England's new percentage-based tourist tax secretly price families out of domestic holidays while claiming to protect them?
Will granting mayors the power to tax tourists actually save local services, or just mask deeper cuts from central government?
As councils gain new taxing powers, could the administrative nightmare of collecting these levies ultimately bankrupt small independent hospitality businesses?