Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the impact of short-term holiday lets on (a) bed and breakfasts, (b) guest houses, (c) hotels and (d) other businesses in the regulated short stay market.

The Tourism Recovery Plan, published in June 2021, included a commitment to consult on a Tourism Accommodation Registration Scheme in England.

Ahead of this, the government intends to launch a call for evidence that will seek views on a range of issues that arise from the increase in short term and holiday letting.

First, I want to gather information that will improve the government’s understanding of the benefits and challenges of the increase in short-term and holiday letting we have seen in England in recent years. Second, I want to gather initial views on what would and would not constitute a proportionate response to addressing some of the challenges.

This evidence will help us determine whether there are options the government should pursue through a consultation.

The Government is committed to only regulating where absolutely necessary and any proposed options, including non-regulatory options, will need to be justified and preserve the benefits of growth and innovation as much as possible.