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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult with hospitality and tourism businesses before introducing an overnight visitor levy; and what steps they will take to ensure that views of small and medium-sized enterprises are represented in that consultation.

The government is empowering Mayors to introduce an overnight visitor levy in their region to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy.

The government is consulting on the design of the new power but the decision of whether or not to introduce the levy will be for mayors who will need to consult when they do so. The precise design and scope of the power is still under development, but the impacts will largely be determined by local decisions.