Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on non-mayoral visitor economies, including Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, of limiting powers to introduce an overnight visitor levy in England to Mayoral Strategic Authorities and any future Foundation Strategic Authorities.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

West Sussex is a constituent member of the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority, which was formally established on 25 March 2026. Consequently, the towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton will benefit from a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) for the region with the power to introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy (OVL). As set out in the Visitor Levy consultation document, the Government believes this power best sits with MSAs as Mayors hold the levers to drive local growth and have the mandate to make strategic decisions over a large geography. Evidence from other countries suggests that modest levies have a limited impact on visitor numbers and displacement.

In February, the Government invited all local authorities that do not currently have a devolution agreement to come forward with proposals for a Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA) across a sensible geography to ensure everywhere has access to the benefits of devolution. As you note, the Government has also consulted on whether to give the Visitor Levy power to FSAs, given they also hold levers to drive local growth and have strategic roles in economic development over a significant geographic area. The Government will publish the response to the consultation which ended on 18 February shortly

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the annual administrative and compliance costs of an overnight visitor levy in England for small and independent accommodation providers, including guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, campsites, self-catering properties and short-term lets.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy.

The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course.

The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy in England on (a) coastal visitor economies with shorter average stays and lower average visitor spend and (b) major urban destinations.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy.

The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course.

The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a overnight visitor levy in England on levels of visitor spend in local high streets, hospitality businesses, and attractions in levy areas.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy.

The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course.

The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy in England on levels of displacement of overnight stays in levy areas to nearby non-levy areas; and whether she has modelled the potential impact of such displacement on coastal and seasonal visitor economies.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy.

The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course.

The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to issue guidance to billing authorities on the publication of aggregate and recipient-level information on discretionary business rates relief awarded to premises used wholly or mainly for community sport.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Billing authorities report on the value of discretionary relief provided to Community Amateur Sports Clubs and a snapshot of the number of hereditaments in receipt of this discretionary relief via the Department’s national non-domestic rates forms. Guidance to help complete the forms is provided to billing authorities.

The latest published information on the value of the relief in 2026-27 can be found at table 2 here.

The latest published data on the number of hereditaments in receipt of discretionary relief as at 31 December 2024 can be found in Table 4 here.

Data on hereditaments as at 31 December 2025 will be published in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of delays in determining discretionary business rates relief applications on the financial sustainability of grassroots sports clubs in England.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The administration of business rates, including billing, enforcement and decisions on the award of relief is the responsibility of local government, having regard to the relevant legislation or, where applicable, guidance published by central government.

Local authorities are responsible for deciding any application process for the locally funded discretionary rate relief schemes they administer.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the administrative burden placed on volunteer-led sports clubs and community sports facilities by annual reapplication requirements for discretionary business rates relief.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The administration of business rates, including billing, enforcement and decisions on the award of relief is the responsibility of local government, having regard to the relevant legislation or, where applicable, guidance published by central government.

Local authorities are responsible for deciding any application process for the locally funded discretionary rate relief schemes they administer.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of local authority budget pressures on decisions to award discretionary business rates relief to sports clubs and community sports facilities.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The administration of business rates, including billing, enforcement and decisions on the award of relief is the responsibility of local government, having regard to the relevant legislation or, where applicable, guidance published by central government.

Local authorities are responsible for deciding any application process for the locally funded discretionary rate relief schemes they administer.

Submit Evidence (by 18 May 2026)

At a Joint Summit in May 2025, the UK and EU agreed to a Security and Defence Partnership, and published a “Common Understanding”, setting out shared commitments to deepen cooperation. Progress since that initial summit has been limited, with core areas for agreement still to conclude. 

Submit Evidence (by 18 May 2026)

The Business and Trade Committee is conducting its bi-annual stock take on the UK-US economic and trade agreements, building on its baseline report US Economic Prosperity Deal (HC 1306, 2024–26). 

Submit Evidence (by 21 May 2026)

The Environmental Audit Committee is examining the role of HM Treasury in shaping the UK’s response to climate change, nature loss and wider environmental sustainability. The Government’s economic policy objective includes a commitment to “accelerate the transition to a climate resilient, nature positive and net zero economy”.[1]