Domestic Travel and Holidays: Visitor Levy
Debate between Lord Londesborough and Lord Lemos(3 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Lemos (Lab)
I am doing my job—
“supporting over 100,000 jobs. The levy will allow us to invest in the infrastructure these visitors need”.
I agree with this comment by my right honourable friend. If mayors choose to introduce this levy, it will help investment in the tourist economy.
Lord Londesborough (CB)
My Lords, when it comes to visitor levies, surely one size does not fit all. Applying them to small, family-run operators in our struggling coastal towns will inflict further damage on already weak competitor positions. Where is the evidence that applying Manchesterism to places such as Blackpool, Skegness and, indeed, Burnham-on-Sea will not damage growth in these postcodes and drive visitor numbers down?
Lord Lemos (Lab)
That is precisely why we are leaving it to local mayors to decide. Of course we will not impose a levy from the centre. I have already said that the consultation has been completed, and we will announce the response in due course. Of course we are not going to impose the same thing everywhere.