Tourists Back a Tourist Tax

Southwark Liberal Democrats have released a video in which several tourists back a plan from the Lib Dems to create a voluntary levy of £2 a night at hotels and hostels, which they say could raise millions of pounds for local services. 

This comes ahead of tonight’s Council Assembly, where the Liberal Democrats are due to move a motion that would commit Southwark to taking after places like Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and now Wales, all of which have now implemented a form of a tourist tax.  

A report to cabinet this week revealed that following the Government’s spring statement, the council would be looking at a gap of at least £60 million over the next three years, which the Liberal Democrats warn will mean cuts to services unless the council looks at other options to raise cash, like a tourist tax. 

Research from the Southwark Liberal Democrats suggests that even at a conservative estimate, the levy could raise at least £2 million a year. Manchester has revealed that it raised £2.8 million through its levy across the city in its first year. 

Commenting, Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:

“As more places across the country implement a form of tourist tax, it’s time for Southwark to do the same, especially when finances are looking so stretched under this Labour council. It’s not fair to expect residents to suffer even more cuts to services, so a tourist tax would go some way to plugging the gap to keep our areas safe and clean, both to live in and visit. 

Tourists are happy to pay it, other cities in the UK are successfully raising millions from it, so why can’t Southwark do the same?”