UK Domestic Visitor Levy

Debate between Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and Lord Fox

Monday 16th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I certainly agree with the noble Lord that the Government want to see the tourism economy in Britain reach its full potential. The decision on whether to introduce a levy will be for mayors, and they will need to consult ahead of making those decisions. As a mayoral power, the ability to create a visitor levy will ensure that those with the best understanding of their region can tailor investment towards growing the local economy, whether that be in tourism or other areas, bearing in mind its needs, including those of the accommodation sector. This puts the power back in the hands of mayors to develop their own tourism economy in the way that they see fit, and it may lead to new visitor attractions and better quality of accommodation.

[Lord Fox (LD)]

My Lords, can the Minister confirm that, where there are no mayors, it will be up to local authorities whether to implement this levy? Will she undertake that, whether this levy is implemented locally or nationally, there is a consistent system of collection right across the country? Will she make sure that it is not as cluttered and badly designed as the Scottish system is now?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

The power will be devolved to mayoral strategic authorities, because they cover the functional economic areas and mayors have strategic roles in driving growth. The power is principally linked to the growth remit that we have given our mayors and to the powers of mayors, and any revenue is expected to be invested in growth, an agenda for which mayors are responsible and accountable. They can use their mandate for change and take the difficult decisions necessary to drive it. That could include, for example, subject to consultation, giving a portion of revenue to local authorities to deliver the services that support growth, including in tourism and the visitor economy. It is important that mayors have those powers. It is for mayors to design the system that works for their local area.

Chinese Embassy

Debate between Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and Lord Fox

Thursday 15th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

My Lords, that is a matter for the security services and not for planning.

[Lord Fox (LD)]

My Lords, the Minister is very keen on talking about material planning considerations, and she has already said that the size of the embassy is one of those. May I ask about one of the other planning considerations, which has caused a great deal of concern: the proximity of the embassy to important data infrastructure? In considering the material nature of the planning consideration, has a full risk analysis been carried out on this issue, who carried out that risk analysis, and were any mitigating issues suggested by that risk assessment?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

As is usual with a planning application, all interested parties were able to submit representations to the planning inquiry when that took place, and they have subsequently been able to submit representations to the department as it considered this application. There were submissions from the Foreign Office and the Home Office and I am sure that very due consideration will be paid to those, in the original process and as the matter moves forward.

Chinese Embassy

Debate between Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and Lord Fox

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Fox (LD)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness is doing well to stick in the groove of her stuck record and play this as a straight planning issue, but we all know that it is much more than that. Sir Keir has said that the Government seek a long-term and strategic relationship with China. We all know that, for a relationship to succeed, there must be gives and there must be takes, and it is quite clear that China really wants this embassy. If the Government accede to this request, what are they expecting to get in return?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I am going to repeat what I said.

Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill

Debate between Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and Lord Fox

2nd reading
Wednesday 29th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

Knowing the Chancellor as I do, I am sure she was extremely well prepared for taking on the commitment and had some idea of what was going on well before she came into office. I am sure that that was her being well prepared.

The noble Baroness, Lady Scott, and the noble Lords, Lord Waldegrave and Lord Maude, raised the impact on charitable activity if schools stopped or reduced their activity. They will continue to operate as charities and there will be no other tax changes specific to their charitable status.

I see I am running out of time, so I will close. I have a number of other points, including on several points of detail made by the noble Earl, Lord Lytton.

[Lord Fox (LD)]

I will read the noble Baroness’s statement in Hansard with great interest but does she recognise that, far from clarifying the issue, which has a number of moving parts, she has thrown some more moving parts into the bag? For us to have a sensible and reasoned approach to Committee, we really need some more clarity. I hope she will take that back with her from this debate. We are willing and ready to engage but it is very difficult, with the degree of murk we are currently encountering.

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I hear the noble Lord’s remarks, and of course I will take that back. I and, I am sure, my noble friend Lord Khan will be happy to undertake any further engagement that noble Lords wish to have before we go into Committee.

The two key points seem to be that this was not a general review of business rates, which we know it is not—a further, wider review of business rates is going on—and the clarification of the VOA valuations, which will set out what categories properties over and under £500,000 will come into. Of course, we will do our best to clarify any further questions that noble Lords have as soon as we can.

I thank all noble Lords who contributed to the debate. This is our first step on the road to transform the business rates system. We want to provide certainty and support to our high streets by enabling the delivery of a permanent tax cut that is sustainable and levels the playing field between the high street and the online giants. It will also help break down barriers to opportunity and support all parents to achieve their aspirations for their children. All parents have aspirations for their children, and it is right that we do our best to support them in delivering and achieving them by raising additional revenue to support the more than 90% of children who attend a state school.