Labour’s Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, has welcomed the new power in Rachel Reeves’ Budget to allow mayors to impose a levy on overnight stays (hotels, B&Bs, holiday lets, guesthouses). This is basically a “tourist tax”.
No details have emerged about how this could work, nor has a decision has yet been taken formally. But it’s clear that Labour will always seek to tax, tax, tax.
Derbyshire Dales Conservatives oppose a tourist tax here in our area.
Introducing a visitor levy might sound small, but it risks putting off the very people who keep our local shops, cafés, B&Bs and attractions thriving.
Derbyshire Dales depends on tourism. Adding extra charges makes us less competitive than other rural destinations and could hit local businesses hardest.
Not only would it drive up costs for visitors, but it would also be an additional administrative burden for our small businesses - at a time when they’ve already faced significant additional pressures from the Labour Government. From National Insurance rises, to increases in energy bills, our small businesses are feeling the pinch.
Tax has often been used to discourage certain types of behaviour (taxes on alcohol, sugar and the like), but tourism within our country is something the Government should surely be encouraging.
Here in the Derbyshire Dales we have a proud tradition of welcoming visitors to our truly wonderful area. Thanks to the hard-working businesses around our area, we know that our visitors have such a great experience. Adding a tax is simply unnecessary.
This tourist tax is the wrong idea. We must reject it.
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