Izzy Lepone 06 August 2025

Call for visitor levies to combat austerity’s effects

Call for visitor levies to combat austerity’s effects image
© mojo cp / Shutterstock.com.

The introduction of a tourist tax would help reverse austerity’s ‘heavy toll’ on councils, the Autonomy Institute think tank says.

In a report entitled ‘The Future of Tourism: Holidays as Public Luxury’, the think tank argues that the implementation of visitor levies would be a ‘sensible first step’ in helping councils manage tourism.

The push for tourist tax has previously been backed by a coalition of UK mayors, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves being said to oppose the levy, despite reports that deputy prime minister Angela Rayner is in favour of the change.

Calling on the Government to allow councils to introduce charges on hotel visits, the think tank suggests the move would simultaneously ‘enrich communities that rely on tourism’ and discourage ‘harmful overtourism’.

‘Such a tax would begin to undo the heavy toll that UK Government austerity has heaped upon local councils over the last decade’, the report says.

Among the benefits of the change, the think tank lists improved living standards and wealth equality, while enhancing local power over tourism, which the report reframes as a form of ‘public infrastructure’.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Investment Marketing and Web Officer CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
The postholder should be experienced in planning social media activity, refreshing web content and analysing their impact. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Passenger Assistant (Escort) x 4 posts (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 3 - dependant on hours
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Traffic Engineering Senior Technician (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £28,132 - £30,914
You will play a key role in the planning, implementation and operation of traffic signal infrastructure across the city. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Modern Slavery and Violence Prevention Programme Manager

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band H, SCP38 - 43 (£49,282 - £54,495) per annum
Sandwell Council is seeking an experienced and visionary Modern Slavery and Violence Prevention Programme Manager Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner