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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration he has given to the potential impact of the planned visitor levy on (a) job opportunities and vacancies, (b) job losses and (c) high street footfall in (i) city centres, (ii) rural communities and (iii) coastal towns as part of her High Street Strategy.

The government’s consultation on the proposed visitor levy closed on 18 February. The government is currently analysing responses and will publish an official response in due course.

The decision on whether to introduce a visitor levy would rest with individual Mayors, who would need to determine whether a levy is right for their area. Any impacts, including on employment and high street footfall, would therefore depend on local decisions, following local consideration and consultation on specific proposals.