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11
Nov
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP questions plans for 14-year jail term over tourist tax evasion
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has questioned the government over plans for prison sentences of up to 14 years for deliberately evading the new tourist tax.
The offence forms part of the Visitor Levy (England) Bill which was introduced to Parliament last week.
The bill would hand powers to mayors to charge up to 5% on overnight stays in their region.
York and North Yorkshire’s Labour mayor David Skaith is a keen advocate, saying the overnight visitor levy — more commonly known as a tourist tax — would be “a total gamechanger” by raising funds for initiatives such as transport and tourism.
But, the bill is also set to include a 14-year prison sentence for those who deliberately evade the new tax.
Mayor David Skaith talking to businesses at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate about his plans for a visitor levy in York and North Yorkshire
In the House of Commons, Mr Gordon asked whether the Ministry of Justice had carried out a justice impact test, when the impact assessments would be published, and how many extra prison places would be needed.
In response, Alex Norris, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, said:
The hon. Gentleman will not be surprised to hear that when any decision is taken across government, it is done in the round and we have those conversations with our colleagues in other departments.
Giving local leaders the power to make that decision, if they want it, is important and, of course, if people do not follow it, there ought to be sanctions.
Following the exchange, the Liberal Democrat MP said the bill must not proceed any further until those impact assessments are published.
He said:
650 more offenders were released early today because our prisons are full. There are fewer than 2,100 spare places left, and Refuge has warned that domestic abuse perpetrators are among those walking free.
I asked the Justice Secretary three simple questions: has his department tested the impact, when will the assessments be published, and how many prison places will this need? He couldn't answer any of them.
Harrogate and Knaresborough’s hotels and B&Bs are already under huge pressure. Labour needs to get its priorities in order and publish the impact assessment before this bill goes any further.
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