At the Autumn budget, Rachel Reeves announced plans to introduce the ability for local Mayors to introduce a 'tourist tax' - a nightly levy on every hotel room. The announcement was welcomed by local Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians, with their potential mayoral candidates getting very excited over the ability to tax people even more.
It sounds simple doesn't it? A pound or two on a hotel room, taxing those who are coming here and using our services - what's not to like?
But the councils already collect a share of business revenue, through business rates, from every business, every hotel, every bed and breakfast - and even AirBnBs. The inevitable consequence is fewer people staying, leading to fewer businesses and fewer jobs, alongside a decrease in business rates collected by the councils. It's a false economy.
The Cumbria tourist economy is vibrant and remarkably resilient but is already reeling from measures introduced by Labour in successive Budgets, not least the increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions. Visitor numbers have not recovered post-pandemic, and businesses are having to navigate increasingly difficult economic circumstances.
Cumbria will not have a tourist tax if I am elected mayor.
Mike Starkie
Conservative candidate for Mayor of Cumbria
I am opposed to Labour’s tourist tax for Cumbria and will not be introducing one if elected as Cumbria Mayor. Please join with me and send a message to the other candidates, that Cumbria can't take any more attacks on our local economy and our rural communities.