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26
Feb
North Yorkshire Tory MPs object to mayor's tourist tax
Four Conservative MPs in North Yorkshire have written to Labour Mayor David Skaith opposing a planned tourist tax in the county.
York and North Yorkshire mayor Mr Skaith has said a £1-per-room, per-night charge on all overnight accommodation, including yurts and bed and breakfasts, would be a “total game changer” that could generate more than £50 million a year.
However, four Conservative MPs in the county, including Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith and Wetherby and Easingwold MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke, have written to the mayor outlining their opposition to the policy.
The letter, which has also been signed by former Prime Minister and Richmond MP Rishi Sunak and Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake, says the proposal is “simply wrong in principle and should not be taken forward”.
The Labour mayor has argued that the money raised from the tax would help communities cope with increased tourism.
However, the letter to Mr Skaith calls for the process for the tourist tax to be paused and a detailed impact assessment should be carried out.
It says:
There remains an absence of clear, publicly available estimates for the cost of administering the levy. Without a full understanding of collection, enforcement and compliance costs, it is impossible to judge whether the policy would deliver any meaningful net benefit or simply introduce additional bureaucracy.
For these reasons, we do not support the introduction of a tourism levy in North Yorkshire. The current process should be paused, detailed impact assessments published and meaningful engagement undertaken with MPs and local tourism organisations before any further steps are taken.
Tom Gordon, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.
Meanwhile, Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said any money raised from a tourist tax should be ringfenced to invest in local services and transport links.
He said:
If the Mayor introduces a tourist tax in York and North Yorkshire, it is vital that hotels in Harrogate and Knaresborough see the benefits locally, not watch the funding disappear elsewhere.
Local hoteliers have been exploring the idea of a tax, but they are clear that any money raised must be reinvested in the towns where it is generated.
I’ll continue working closely with local businesses to ensure their views are heard and our towns get a fair deal.
The move comes as businesses gave a resounding “no” to the proposal to introduce the tax in a consultation by Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council.
Announcing the consultation responses on February 9, the council said that of 270 businesses that expressed a clear view, 71% opposed the introduction of a visitor levy. A total of 18% supported it and 11% were neutral.
Meanwhile, Tory Councillor Mark Crane said in his proposed consultation response to government that the responses “highlight significant concerns over administrative burdens, potential declines in bookings due to price increases, and risks to competitiveness”.
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