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 potential impact of an Overnight Visitor Levy on financial viability of small independent bed and breakfast operators and guest houses.

The precise design and scope of any Overnight Visitor Levy are still under consideration following the public consultation. The Government will publish its formal response to the consultation in due course.

Decisions on whether to introduce a levy, and on specific local proposals, will be for Mayors and local leaders, subject to local consultation. The detailed scope, including any exemptions, administrative arrangements, use of revenues and other aspects of policy design will be set out, where relevant, in future legislation.