UK media reports that London Mayor Sadiq Khan is to impose a tourist tax on visitors staying overnight in the British capital. Khan has “cautiously welcomed” the reports, with speakers for his office saying they would not comment on “speculation” and would wait before making any concrete preparations.
The UK government is being tipped to give the green light for the levy, which according to current regulations in force cannot be imposed by local authorities.
Revenues from the tourist tax are estimated to raise £240 million a year for the British capital.
Research commissioned by the Greater London Authority found other global cities had three types of taxes for visitors: a percentage rate levied on stays, a single flat fee for bookings, and a levy paid depending on a star rating system. The researchers concluded that a flat fee system would be the best option for London.
The questions is whether at least part of the money the levy is expected to raise will be dedicated to improving public security in the city that has seen recorded crime increasing by 31% in the past decade in the area that the Metropolitan police covers, with violent crime up by 40%.
As Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage warned one journalist: “I dare you to walk through the West End of London after 9 o’clock of an evening wearing jewellery. You wouldn’t do it. You know that I’m right. You wouldn’t do it.”
