No plans for England tourism tax, No 10 insists, after claims Rayner backed one
Rachel Reeves, however, is said to have blocked the move for fear it would reduce revenues for businesses struggling with higher national insurance contributions and a rise in the minimum wage already brought in by the Government.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman would not be drawn into saying whether there were plans for such a tax.
'We have previously said there's no plans to introduce a tourism tax in England,' the spokesman said.
He added: 'Places can already choose to introduce a levy on overnight stays through working with their local tourism sector, using the accommodation Business Improvement District model.
'Tourism obviously plays an important role in the UK's economy. Inbound tourism is the UK's third largest service export.
'The UK is the seventh most-visited country in the world, and we're committed to continuing to support the sector.'
Pressed again whether a tourism tax had been shelved after an intervention from the Treasury, the spokesman said: 'Well, there's no plans to introduce it.'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier sidestepped a question about Ms Rayner's call for a tourist tax.
Asked for her response, Ms Reeves said she had made decisions on tax in last year's 'once-in-a-generation budget' which was intended to 'fix the mess' left by the Conservatives.
She added: 'We'll have another budget later this year, and I'll be setting out our tax policy there.'
A similar levy already exists in Scotland, and the Welsh Government is also in the process of introducing a tourism tax.
Tourists staying in countries across Europe are required to pay local taxes aimed at offsetting the impact of large numbers of visitors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
25 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Ministers urged to explain plans which could re-establish Hong Kong extraditions
The move could put at risk dissident Hongkongers who have fled to the UK to avoid recrimination by the Chinese government, a senior Conservative warned. Shadow Home Office minister Alicia Kearns urged the Government to ensure 'protections will be put in place to ensure no Hongkonger, CCP (Chinese Community Party) critic or anyone targeted by the CCP will be extradited under the new arrangement'. The UK's extradition treaty with Hong Kong was suspended by the then-Tory government after a new national security law was imposed on the territory by China in 2020. The treaty meant Hong Kong could request that someone living in the UK suspected of a crime at home could be handed over to face justice, and vice versa. Fears that the law could lead to human rights abuses were behind the UK's reasoning to put the agreement on ice. Ministers have now introduced a law change in the Commons which would tweak how Hong Kong is designated under the 2003 Extradition Act. The statutory instrument introduced in the Commons on July 17 would effectively establish a 'case-by-case' extradition route with Hong Kong, as well as Zimbabwe. It also changes how Chile is classified under the Act because the South American country has signed an international extradition treaty. In a letter to shadow home secretary Chris Philp seen by the PA news agency, security minister Dan Jarvis suggested the change was needed as no extradition to Hong Kong can currently be made 'even if there were strong operational grounds to do so'. Mr Jarvis added: 'The way to resolve this situation is to de-designate Hong Kong and Zimbabwe from the Act so that we can co-operate with them on the case-by-case ad hoc basis available for non-treaty partners. 'The safety and security of our citizens is our top priority. 'Ensuring that territories are correctly designated under the Act will ensure that the UK can accept extradition requests in a lawful and timely way to ensure the public is not put at risk.' Writing in response to Mr Jarvis, shadow minister Ms Kearns questioned why the Government had taken the step, as she said the situation in Hong Kong had 'worsened' in the years since the national security law was introduced. She pointed to the case of Jimmy Lai, the 77-year-old British national and proprietor of the Apple Daily newspaper, who is facing detention by the Chinese government, as well as other critics of Beijing. 'Has the Government assessed political freedom and the rule of law have been returned to Hong Kong, or have you decided these issues are no longer saleable alongside the 'reset' in relations between the UK and China?' Ms Kearns asked in her letter. Government plans to reintroduce extradition cooperation with Hong Kong are highly concerning. Why does the Government deem this reasonable when freedom of expression, political freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong have been crushed by The National Security Law and the… — Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) July 24, 2025 In a post on social media, she added: 'I urge the Government to give urgent reassurances on how this system will be safely managed and what protections will be put in place to ensure no Hong Konger, CCP critic or anyone targeted by the CCP will be extradited under the new arrangement.' The Hong Kong national security law criminalises anything considered to be secessionist from China, and has led to a crackdown on critics of Beijing. Some 150,000 Hongkongers have moved to the UK under a special visa scheme launched in early 2021, after the law was introduced. Since coming to power, Labour has sought to reset relations with China with the aim of boosting trade, after the Conservatives took an increasingly hawkish attitude towards the country while they were in office. In a statement, security minister Mr Jarvis said it was 'entirely incorrect to say the UK has restored extradition co-operation with Hong Kong'. He added: 'The 1997 treaty remains suspended and this legislation simply completes the severing of ties between the British and Hong Kong extradition systems. This amendment is in order to give legal effect to the suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.' The Government is 'unwavering in its commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and the safety of all individuals in the UK, including the many Hong Kongers who have made this country their home', Mr Jarvis said.
Rhyl Journal
25 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Ministers urged to explain plans which could re-establish Hong Kong extraditions
The move could put at risk dissident Hongkongers who have fled to the UK to avoid recrimination by the Chinese government, a senior Conservative warned. Shadow Home Office minister Alicia Kearns urged the Government to ensure 'protections will be put in place to ensure no Hongkonger, CCP (Chinese Community Party) critic or anyone targeted by the CCP will be extradited under the new arrangement'. The UK's extradition treaty with Hong Kong was suspended by the then-Tory government after a new national security law was imposed on the territory by China in 2020. The treaty meant Hong Kong could request that someone living in the UK suspected of a crime at home could be handed over to face justice, and vice versa. Fears that the law could lead to human rights abuses were behind the UK's reasoning to put the agreement on ice. Ministers have now introduced a law change in the Commons which would tweak how Hong Kong is designated under the 2003 Extradition Act. The statutory instrument introduced in the Commons on July 17 would effectively establish a 'case-by-case' extradition route with Hong Kong, as well as Zimbabwe. It also changes how Chile is classified under the Act because the South American country has signed an international extradition treaty. In a letter to shadow home secretary Chris Philp seen by the PA news agency, security minister Dan Jarvis suggested the change was needed as no extradition to Hong Kong can currently be made 'even if there were strong operational grounds to do so'. Mr Jarvis added: 'The way to resolve this situation is to de-designate Hong Kong and Zimbabwe from the Act so that we can co-operate with them on the case-by-case ad hoc basis available for non-treaty partners. 'The safety and security of our citizens is our top priority. 'Ensuring that territories are correctly designated under the Act will ensure that the UK can accept extradition requests in a lawful and timely way to ensure the public is not put at risk.' Writing in response to Mr Jarvis, shadow minister Ms Kearns questioned why the Government had taken the step, as she said the situation in Hong Kong had 'worsened' in the years since the national security law was introduced. She pointed to the case of Jimmy Lai, the 77-year-old British national and proprietor of the Apple Daily newspaper, who is facing detention by the Chinese government, as well as other critics of Beijing. 'Has the Government assessed political freedom and the rule of law have been returned to Hong Kong, or have you decided these issues are no longer saleable alongside the 'reset' in relations between the UK and China?' Ms Kearns asked in her letter. Government plans to reintroduce extradition cooperation with Hong Kong are highly concerning. Why does the Government deem this reasonable when freedom of expression, political freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong have been crushed by The National Security Law and the… — Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) July 24, 2025 In a post on social media, she added: 'I urge the Government to give urgent reassurances on how this system will be safely managed and what protections will be put in place to ensure no Hong Konger, CCP critic or anyone targeted by the CCP will be extradited under the new arrangement.' The Hong Kong national security law criminalises anything considered to be secessionist from China, and has led to a crackdown on critics of Beijing. Some 150,000 Hongkongers have moved to the UK under a special visa scheme launched in early 2021, after the law was introduced. Since coming to power, Labour has sought to reset relations with China with the aim of boosting trade, after the Conservatives took an increasingly hawkish attitude towards the country while they were in office. In a statement, security minister Mr Jarvis said it was 'entirely incorrect to say the UK has restored extradition co-operation with Hong Kong'. He added: 'The 1997 treaty remains suspended and this legislation simply completes the severing of ties between the British and Hong Kong extradition systems. This amendment is in order to give legal effect to the suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.' The Government is 'unwavering in its commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and the safety of all individuals in the UK, including the many Hong Kongers who have made this country their home', Mr Jarvis said.
Metro
25 minutes ago
- Metro
Protesters swarm 'sold out' council meeting on future of Epping migrant hotel
Dozens of anti-migrant protesters have descended on Epping ahead of a council meeting on the future of the controversial hotel housing asylum seekers. Riot police are out in force as activists marched through the heavy rain with England flags emblazoned with 'The Only Way is Epping' through the usually sleepy Essex town on Thursday. A motion due to be heard by the council will call on the Government to 'immediately and permanently close the Bell Hotel' after mass protests. Epping Forest District Council closed the town hall early to allow staff to get out of the way of the protest as they announced all Eventbrite tickets had been allocated for the meeting by midday. Only locals would be allowed inside for the vote with no placards or masks allowed inside the council chambers. An agenda reads: 'These hotels, situated just 2.5 miles apart, have been at the centre of multiple serious incidents in recent weeks, including: the arrest and charging of an individual for the sexual assault of a schoolgirl in Epping town centre. 'And the arrest of another individual for arson, who is believed to have moved between the two hotels.' They added: 'Tensions are rising in the community, exacerbated by the historical presence of far-right groups in the area, such as the Homeland Party and formerly elected British National Party councillors.' Essex Police announced they had arrested 16 people after a wave of protests turned violent last week. The force will ban face coverings at the protests and enforce designated areas where people can lawfully 'make their voices heard'. Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper, Essex Police, said: 'We know there are more plans for protest in Epping tonight. 'We've got a really robust plan in place for this, to protect the people of Epping against anyone who turns up to commit crime and violent disorder.' A Section 60AA order, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, will be in place on face coverings. 'If you wear one, we'll order you to take it off. If you don't take it off, you'll be arrested', Mr Hooper said. Police are also using extra powers, under Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, to 'put restrictions on people who plan to assemble or to take part in any kind of procession'. Designated protest areas are directly opposite the Bell Hotel 'and will have their own designated entry and exit routes', the assistant chief constable added. There will also be sites near the Civic Centre, and he said 'if you move from the Bell Hotel to the Civic Centre, you will not be able to return'. He said all protest activity should cease by 10pm, adding: 'To be clear, you will not be able to get in the way of people getting on with their daily lives in Epping. This is a priority.' Kenneth Blissett, 34, of Long Banks, Harlow, Essex, was charged on Thursday with theft of police equipment and possession of an offensive weapon. He remains on bail and will appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on September 30. Another man in his 20s was detained at an address in Harlow at about 5.45pm on Wednesday on suspicion of violent disorder. He remains in custody for questioning and police say they have seized evidence from the scene. Officers are also appealing for information about two men they want to speak to in connection with the violence. Martin Peagram, 33, who has links to Stansted, Essex, is described as 6ft, of slim build, with short brown hair and facial stubble. Philip Curson, 52, who has no fixed address, is 5ft 8in, stocky, with short brown hair and full tattoo sleeves on both arms, as well as tattoos on his neck. Essex Police said they are no longer seeking Shaun Thompson, 37, who was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and remains in custody. Mr Hooper said: 'We'd promised that we'd continue our investigations into the unacceptable actions of a small number of people who chose to take advantage of peaceful protest to try to cause harm to people in Epping or to property. 'We've been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation. 'We are identifying suspects and there will be more arrests in the coming days. 'Put simply, if you turn up to try to cause trouble, you won't get away with it.' Detectives have also released body-worn video showing one of the arrests. The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the Government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads. The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum-seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and will stand trial in August. The protest has drawn national attention and sparked a political row, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign over claims that officers transported left-wing protesters to the scene, claims the chief constable has denied. MORE: 'Ring of steel' around 4-star hotel in London after anti-migrant protests MORE: Police blast 'hooligans' for £100,000 cost of Epping migrant hotel disorder MORE: Residents left 'sickened' after protesters clash with police over migrant hotel
