Labour has announced a new tax!

[EvangelicalAboutButteredToast]

I know, I know, we’re all shocked.

In the King’s speech today. A new tourist tax that would be applied to overnight accommodation. It’s called the Overnight Visitor Levy Bill and could add around 5% onto hotel, B&B, guesthouse costs. They are pushing it through as we speak, I guess in time for summer.

Seems to be the case in many countries tbh. But not always applied to local residents

I’m sure it’s all very worthy and I’m sure we can all argue how local tourist areas have the right to tax holiday makers etc, however all I see is the Labour government implementing ANOTHER tax. It’s literally all they have done since they came in.

Thank Christ - here in Bath, the constant tourist mess takes some keeping up with - they’ve been after one for a good while - I def have to pay it in lots of other places , certainly Amsterdam, Spain, pretty sure I paid it in US

@EvangelicalAboutButteredToast like what , apart from VAT on school fees? I don’t remember any others.

And in lots of Europe.

Holidaying in England will cost you more.

It’s about £2 a night.

I’ve just booked a 4 night stay in Rome and I will have to pay £37 in local taxes when I get to the hotel. It’s fair enough.

Tourist tax sounds a good idea to me. A good way to allow local people to see more benefit from the sometimes intrusively high numbers of holidaymakers in touristy areas.

What are all these numerous other new taxes that Labour have allegedly introduced?

It's already in Scotland, applies to Edinburgh already and Glasgow I believe are considering.

The bill just gives councils the power to introduce it. From my experience (in travel) it can take years from a city to debate introducing to it actually being implemented. The mechanisms of collecting the tax are down to the city so its not a government tax. Councils need to raise more funds, council tax increases are restricted, this gives another avenue. It's often ringfenced for tourism or environmental policies rather than propping up social care or education budgets.

Edinburgh applied it as a percentage and its gone down like a lead balloon with hotels because it exposes the rate even when booked as part of a package (traditionally where the hotel cost isn't known). Most cities have a flat nightly amount that varies by star rating.

Well a quick google would tell that this isn't all they've done.

There are many places in the UK which could benefit from a bit of extra money for tourism infrastructure. I've no objection to paying at all.

I’m not the person you’re replying to, but I think what she means is that Labour have been very sly about it and rather than outright new taxes, they’ve increased a lot of existing ones by stealth, e.g. employers NI.

We’ve also got the upcoming increase in tax on interest and dividends as well as the NI being scrapped on salary sacrifice.

Reeves is a thug in a wig, but she’s not much worse than the Tories before her who froze the tax thresholds to begin with (which she gleefully extended to the end of the decade)

I’ve just asked the same ref tax - apart from vat on school fees which most certainly doesn’t affect everyone by a very long way

Don’t see the problem with this.

most places I go to on holiday have this and frankly it sounds like a good idea.

Agree.

My only concern is it’ll be even more expensive to holiday here.

Jesus @EvangelicalAboutButteredToast, you're clutching at straws here.

5% is way too much…. Twats

This is an excellent idea. Why should areas with huge numbers of tourists not be able to charge those tourists money to help support services. We’ve payed this in many places over the years and it’s never been a bother - it’s peanuts compared to the cost of a holiday.

It was 10 Euros per room per night in Crete last year, so an extra 100E for our family. I won’t be happy if it applies to everyone and not just tourists from abroad.

A thug in a wig 🙄

what a ridiculous statement

Why should it only apply to tourists from abroad?

I live in a town that is taken over by holidaymakers from April until October. This sort of thing could be a lifeline.

Scotland and Wales already have this. Its great for over touristed areas. Not all areas have to charge it so can bring down costs and keep them comparatively cheaper.
It think it's a great idea for places over run by tourists.

She’s caused so much damage to small businesses in particular since taking office. Perhaps you’re not aware of that. So many people up and down the country are suffering from the decisions she took and enforced.

But by all means, please do roll your eyes at me and miss the point of my post.

May I kindly suggest that if you’ve nothing useful to contribute that you just don’t contribute anything at all? It isn’t compulsory for you to comment, especially if you don’t understand what’s being discussed.

Ah, another Labour bashing thread, quelle surprise.

When you see the state of some places in the UK in tourist season, it's fine. Brighton beach after Fri/Sat night used to be covered in litter. Same as been noted at certain beauty spots too. All helps pay for clean up and keep the places nice.