Tourism: Overnight Visitor Levy
Debate between Lord Fuller and Baroness Blake of Leeds(2 weeks, 5 days ago)
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Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I am absolutely convinced that Mayor Rotheram knows what is best for his local area. He is a passionate advocate of everything to do with Liverpool. Liverpool and Manchester have already introduced a flat-rate levy at the behest of the business community in their areas. It is the businesses that have worked with the leaders to bring forward those levies. I am pretty sure that I will be in Liverpool fairly shortly, so I look forward very much to finding out more about it.
Lord Fuller (Con)
My Lords, UKHospitality has calculated that this tax will cost 33,000 jobs, raise £1.6 billion and reduce GDP by £2.2 billion. That is its assessment. What assessment have the Government made of the financial impacts of this proposal and will they publish it?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
It is fair to say that we do not recognise the figures that UKHospitality has put out. We have been working with it incredibly closely through the consultation and will continue to do so. This is a vital part of our economy and we are here to give the support that is needed to make sure that these areas thrive. The conversation is ongoing, but I suggest the noble Lord looks at the wider evidence from around the world of how successful such a levy can be.