Mayors Lead Calls for Devolved Tourist Tax Powers Across England

A coalition of mayors across England, led by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, is urging the UK Government to devolve powers allowing local authorities to introduce visitor levies, or 'tourist taxes,' to fund tourism and cultural infrastructure. This call follows Liverpool's recent introduction of a mandatory £2 per night tourist tax in hotels, projected to raise over £9 million in two years to support the local visitor economy. The mayors argue that devolving such powers would empower regional growth, reduce dependence on central government funding, and enable reinvestment into local attractions and services. They have proposed including enabling legislation in upcoming bills such as the English Devolution Bill or a specific Finance Bill, as current law does not permit English cities to impose these levies. The initiative is backed by mayors from major regions including Greater Manchester, London, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, and the North East, representing nearly 21 million people and areas that attract hundreds of millions of visitors annually. Liverpool's levy follows a Business Improvement District ballot and is seen as a model for other regions, particularly as devolved governments in Scotland and Wales have already implemented similar taxes.