English councils set to gain powers to levy tourist taxes, with 5% cap sought
The government is set to let English councils and mayors charge a percentage levy on overnight stays, with Parliament beginning the process and charges unlikely before 2028.
How it was covered
- BBC One was the only channel found covering it, concentrating on the mechanics of English tourist levies, local splits and existing UK schemes.
- Channel 5, BBC News, BBC Two, Channel 4, GB News, ITV and Sky News: not found in tracked broadcasts.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story. Facts only one channel reported are attributed to it.
BBC One reported that the government will release more details later about plans for so-called tourist taxes. Parliament was due to begin the process later today, according to the same report, which could allow more places in England to adopt visitor levies.
BBC One framed the issue as a debate at the heart of Andy Burnham's devolution agenda. The report said mayors and local authorities would gain power to introduce a charge on overnight stays. The charge would be a percentage of the stay, so cheaper visits would attract a lower charge, according to BBC One. The report said it would also apply to Airbnbs and holiday lets.
According to BBC One, the charge could in theory be unlimited. A group of 10 regional Labour mayors, including in the West Midlands and York, said they would cap it at 5%, the report said. BBC One reported that Ben Houchen, the Conservative mayor for Teesside, has indicated he would not use the power.
BBC One reported that the legislation would cover England. The report said Wales and Scotland already have powers. According to BBC One, Aberdeen is proposing a 7% levy from April. Edinburgh introduced a 5% levy this summer, the report said.
BBC One reported that some Manchester hotels now charge an extra pound per night per room as a work-around. The report said Edinburgh authorities believe the levy gives them power to make decisions on funds to improve facilities used by residents and visitors.
According to BBC One, hospitality bosses warn that in England the levy could increase the cost of a domestic holiday. The report said they also warn it could cost jobs.
BBC One reported that Brighton is considering a levy. Businesses there are divided on the idea, according to the report.
According to BBC One, a £2.50 levy per day per person would mean £5 per couple. The report said a family of four would pay £10 extra per day.
Brighton Council told BBC One it was actively lobbying for a modest visitor levy. The council said the levy would raise millions of pounds a year to reinvest in the waterfront and cultural events, according to the report.
A government spokesperson told BBC One that local communities should get the benefit from visitor numbers.
BBC One reported that legislation is expected to be laid later. The report said the charges are not likely to be operational before 2028.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |
|---|---|
| Only on one channel | |
| A group of ten regional Labour mayors, including in the West Midlands and York, said they would cap the overnight-stay charge at 5%. | |
| Mayors and local authorities would gain powers to introduce a charge on overnight stays. | |
| The overnight-stay charges are not likely to be operational before 2028. | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The package was explanatory and policy-focused, setting out how the proposed levies would work, who could introduce them and the 5% cap sought by Labour mayors. It balanced potential local benefits in Brighton with hospitality warnings about costs and jobs, and compared England with existing schemes in Scotland and Manchester. The report also used Brighton as a case study for divided business opinion and mixed visitor views.
- “It's a debate that gets to the heart of Andy Burnham's devolution agenda.”
- “In theory, the charge could be unlimited, but a group of 10 regional Labour mayors, including in the West Midlands and York, say they would cap it at 5%.”
- “If you're going to add £2.50 tourism tax levy per day per person, that's £5 per couple, but for a family of four, that's £10 extra per day.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.