Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to introduce a licensing scheme for short term holiday lets.

Short-term lets are an integral part of the UK’s visitor accommodation offer. The government is clear that they bring a range of benefits to local and national economies.

The government also recognises that communities in tourism destinations, particularly coastal and rural communities, must be able to benefit from thriving tourism but ensure the spirit of their community is preserved when holiday season ends.

Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The government is continuing to explore the introduction of such a scheme, which is now a statutory requirement.