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

To ask His Majesty's Government what work they have completed on commissioning an assessment of the cumulative tax burden on hospitality businesses, and what impact adding an additional visitor levy will have on (1) consumer spending on the high street, (2) temporary job adverts, (3) openings and closures on the high street, and (4) sectoral investment.

The Government consulted nationally on the design and scope of the power, including the use of revenues, and published its response on 10 September. The Government has engaged with the tourism and hospitality sectors throughout the consultation process.

The decision whether to introduce a visitor levy will be for local leaders, and the impacts of any levy will depend on local decisions. This is an important principle for devolution and democratic accountability. Where a Mayor chooses to take forward a levy, they will need to consult on specific proposals, including how any revenue should be invested, and consider the impacts for their area. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of consultation responses, a final prospectus and an impact assessment.