Latest news with #Rotheram
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Let us tax visitors on overnight stays in England, mayors say
A coalition of mayors has called for powers to be given to local authorities to create visitor levies across England, in an attempt to boost tourist infrastructure and regional growth. The group of mayors from around the country, led by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, is calling on the government to grant devolved powers to allow regions to create a visitor levy, which could see a small charge added to overnight stays. Mr Rotheram said the overnight charges are 'the kind most of us wouldn't think twice about when travelling abroad' and 'would give us the power to reinvest directly into the things that make our area so special'. Other mayors have echoed his sentiment. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said: 'A modest overnight accommodation levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London's reputation as a global tourism and business destination.' A similar law is already in place in Scotland, passed in 2024, which allows councils to tax overnight accommodation if they wish to do so. Edinburgh has already made headway with this power, voting in January to add a five per cent surcharge on visitors' overnight stays by 2026. A bill has also been proposed by Welsh lawmakers to introduce a small visitor levy that could see visitors to the country paying up to £1.25 per night by 2027. The mayors say England is 'at risk of falling behind' as Scotland and Wales move ahead with their own tourism levies, so are calling for rapid action from the central government. The mayors have argued that the powers to create a visitor levy would unlock 'vital' funding for tourism and cultural infrastructure and drive regional growth, as well as reduce dependence on funding from the central government. English legislation does not allow cities to create a visitor levy; however, using legal workarounds has meant Liverpool and Manchester have introduced a form of tourism levy. The city councils both introduced a tourism-based Business Improvement District (BID), using existing legal power to establish a form of tourist tax that allows hoteliers to charge £1 (in Manchester) or £2 (in Liverpool) per night as part of a 'city visitor charge'. The mayors said that the BID visitor levy in Liverpool has received strong backing, while in Manchester, a recent survey revealed 70 per cent of tourists are willing to pay a small charge if it is used to visibly enhance tourism services. However, the local authorities are hoping to see devolved powers to create visitor levies written into law. The campaign is backed by the mayors of the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, London, the North East, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire. 'These regions collectively attract hundreds of millions of visitors annually and contribute billions to the UK economy,' the group said. 'Yet none currently benefit from a dedicated funding stream to reinvest in tourism resilience and growth.' The Liverpool City Region predicts that a visitor levy could raise nearly £11 million per year for the area from the over 60 million visitors it receives annually. Greater Manchester says that a £1 to £5 overnight tax could raise between £8 million and £40 million per year, which could help fund key infrastructures such as the regeneration of Old Trafford or airport development. Over in the capital, the group said tourism accounts for one in seven jobs and nearly 12 per cent of London's economy, whereas visitor economies stand at £6.1 billion in the North East and £16.3 billion in Birmingham.
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Liverpool parade crash: Four people seriously hurt, report says
"We are hoping of course that they pull through," Rotheram said. Authorities arrested a 53-year-old British man at the scene on May 26 as dozens of revelers celebrating Liverpool's Premier League championship were left injured and required medical attention. Officials were quick to say they did not believe the incident was terrorism-related and believe the suspect acted alone. More: At least 47 injured after car plowed into soccer fans in Liverpool; suspect arrested Hundreds-of-thousands of people had descended on the parade route to see the Liverpool team and its staff travel through the city center on an open-top bus with the Premier League trophy. Videos posted online show a gray minivan plowing into the dense crowd, sending people flying into the air and dragging others under the vehicle. When the van came to a stop, the crowd charged at the driver and began smashing the windows before police intervened. Within hours of the incident, officials said they arrested a 53-year-old British man from the Liverpool area. As of Tuesday, authorities have not released the suspect's name or any additional information about how or why he drove into the crowd. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told broadcasters that he sends his thoughts and prayers to the Liverpool community after "scenes of joy turned to utter horror." "Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with them," he said, adding, "Today is a day for thinking about all those impacted by this and being absolutely clear that we stand with them." Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas and Michael Loria; Reuters
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
‘Big question' over how car was on road before Liverpool parade incident
Steve Rotheram said four people are still 'very, very ill in hospital' after the vehicle struck pedestrians on Water Street in the city centre on Monday. A 53-year-old man was arrested after the 'horror' incident and four children were among around 50 who were injured – including one child who was seriously hurt. Merseyside Police said the suspect was the driver of the car, white, British and from the Liverpool area, and added that it was not being treated as terrorism. Speaking to reporters at the scene on Tuesday, Rotheram said questions about how the car was able to enter the road were 'legitimate'. He said: 'Water Street was not a route where vehicles were supposed to be using it, it was blocked off. 'At this end of it, which is the direction that it was coming in, towards The Strand, there were literally hundreds of thousands of people here, so no vehicle would have got through anyway. 'The questions, I suppose, are legitimate, but we have to give the police the time to conclude their investigations, which is what they're doing.' Questions are being asked as to how a car was able to drive into crowds and injure dozens of people, but no clear answers have yet emerged. The risk of such attacks was laid bare in 2016 when a lorry ploughed into pedestrians in Nice, France, and the following year in London when vehicles were driven into crowds on Westminster Bridge and London Bridge. Both permanent and temporary barriers and bollards are used commonly to protect the public, as seen in the massive security operation for the Queen's funeral in 2022 which was the largest ever deployment of such measures. Footage of the incident circulating online appeared to show people in the crowd following the Liverpool's celebrations attempting to get close to the driver of the car, with one managing to open the driver's car door. Videos then appeared to show the driver close the car door before suddenly speeding up and veering into pedestrians on both sides of the crowded street. The clips posted on social media then showed people from the crowds attempt to chase the driver – with some kicking the vehicle and smashing the back window. Officers quickly surrounded the car as witnesses attempted to stop the driver, who was eventually detained by police. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday, Rotheram said he was hopeful that those seriously injured 'pull through very, very quickly'. Our CEO Billy Hogan has issued a message following the incident that occurred on Water Street during Monday's trophy parade in the city. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 27, 2025 He told the broadcaster: 'The actual incident in Water Street will live with those people for all the wrong reasons and that's where we have to really focus our minds. 'There are still four people who are very, very ill in hospital and we are hoping of course that they pull through very, very quickly.' Former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, who attended Sunday's final game of the season before watching the parade, wrote on Instagram: 'My family and I are shocked and devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured and affected. You'll never walk alone.' Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan said in a video posted on the club's website: 'This weekend was one of celebration, emotion and joy spread across the city in our entire fan base, and it ended in unimaginable scenes of distress with this appalling incident. 'I'd like to pay tribute to our emergency services and partner agencies – Merseyside Police, North West and St John Ambulance Services, and Merseyside Fire and Rescue – who dealt with the incident, and now our hospital staff across the city who are dealing with those who are injured, including tragically four children. 'I would also like to thank our supporters who witnessed this event and helped each other where they could. 'We continue to work with the emergency services and the local authorities to support their ongoing investigation and once again we would ask if anyone has any further information about the incident, please contact Merseyside Police.' The Prime Minister said he was in close contact with Rotheram about the incident, adding: 'Scenes of joy turned to utter horror and devastation, and my thoughts and the thoughts of the whole country are with all of those that are affected, those injured, which of course includes children, their families, their friends, the whole community, Liverpool fans everywhere.' Sir Keir Starmer also said it was a 'matter for the police' that they gave details about the man who was arrested. Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said four people who were trapped under the car, including a child, were rescued by firefighters. At a press conference late on Monday evening, Dave Kitchin from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured. He said two of those taken to hospital, including one of the children, suffered serious injuries.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Authorities investigate whether Liverpool driver tailgated ambulance before parade
LONDON - Detectives are probing whether the car which plowed into a crowd during Liverpool's victory parade tailgated an ambulance before running down pedestrians. Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said the vehicle should not have been on the street and the "big question" was how the incident happened. Rotheram said four people are still "very, very ill in hospital" after the vehicle struck dozens of pedestrians on Water Street in the city center on Monday. It is understood Merseyside police are investigating whether the driver attempted to follow an ambulance that was moving through the crowd. A 53-year-old man was arrested after the "horror" incident, and four children were among around 50 who were injured – including one child who was seriously hurt. The force said the suspect was the driver of the car was British and from the Liverpool area, adding that it was not being treated as terrorism. Speaking to reporters at the scene Tuesday, Rotheram said questions about how the car was able to enter the road were "legitimate". He said: "Water Street was not a route where vehicles were supposed to be using it; it was blocked off. "At this end of it, which is the direction that it was coming in, towards The Strand, there were literally hundreds of thousands of people here, so no vehicle would have got through anyway. "The questions, I suppose, are legitimate, but we have to give the police the time to conclude their investigations, which is what they're doing." The damage vehicles can do when driven into crowds was laid bare in a series of attacks including in 2016 when a lorry plowed into pedestrians in Nice, France, and the following year in London when vehicles were driven into crowds on Westminster Bridge and London Bridge. Both permanent and temporary barriers and bollards are used commonly to protect the public, as seen in the massive security operation for the Queen's funeral in 2022 which was the largest ever deployment of such measures. Footage of the incident circulating online appeared to show people in the crowd following the Liverpool Football Club celebrations attempting to get close to the driver of the car, with one managing to open the driver's car door. Videos then appeared to show the driver close the car door before suddenly speeding up and veering into pedestrians on both sides of the crowded street. The clips posted on social media then showed people from the crowds attempt to chase the driver – with some kicking the vehicle and smashing the back window. Officers quickly surrounded the car as witnesses attempted to stop the driver, who was eventually detained by police. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday, Rotheram said he was hopeful that those seriously injured "pull through very, very quickly." He told the broadcaster: "The actual incident in Water Street will live with those people for all the wrong reasons and that's where we have to really focus our minds. "There are still four people who are very, very ill in hospital, and we are hoping of course that they pull through very, very quickly," Rotheram said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was in close contact with Rotheram about the incident, adding: "Scenes of joy turned to utter horror and devastation, and my thoughts and the thoughts of the whole country are with all of those that are affected, those injured, which of course includes children, their families, their friends, the whole community, Liverpool fans everywhere." Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who attended the Premier League title parade, said he was "shocked and devastated," adding: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured and affected. You'll never walk alone." Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said four people who were trapped under the car, including a child, were rescued by firefighters. At a press conference late Monday evening, Dave Kitchin from North West Ambulance Service said 27 people were taken to the hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured. He said two of those taken to the hospital, including one of the children, suffered serious injuries. Kitchin said some patients had also taken themselves to local hospitals. On Tuesday morning a police cordon remained in place at the scene, with a large police van parked in front of a blue tent on the road and officers stationed along the street. Empty bottles and cans littered the road, and a Liverpool flag was attached to the top of traffic lights. The Strand was reopened to traffic as usual. A survivor of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 said she was knocked to the floor by the car during the incident. The woman, who gave her name as Frankie, 24, told the Mail Online: "I was at the Manchester Arena incident. I don't want to go out again. "The side of the car went into me and I fell to the floor. It's all a blur. "I've got cuts and bruises, and I'll be fine, but there's loads who have got more severe injuries." Another witness, who gave his name as Mark, told ITV News a woman had said a baby had been hit by a car during the incident. He told the broadcaster: "A woman ran by me and said the baby got hit by the car. She was running round looking for help. "She came to us and we just directed her to the police and ambulance." Liverpool FC Chief Executive Billy Hogan thanked supporters who "helped each other where they could," adding: "We continue to work with the emergency services and the local authorities to support their ongoing investigation, and once again we would ask if anyone has any further information about the incident, please contact Merseyside police." ---------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Rhyl Journal
27-05-2025
- Rhyl Journal
‘Big question' over how car was on road before Liverpool parade incident
Steve Rotheram said four people are still 'very, very ill in hospital' after the vehicle struck pedestrians on Water Street in the city centre on Monday. A 53-year-old man was arrested after the 'horror' incident and four children were among around 50 who were injured – including one child who was seriously hurt. Merseyside Police said the suspect was the driver of the car, white, British and from the Liverpool area, and added that it was not being treated as terrorism. Speaking to reporters at the scene on Tuesday, Rotheram said questions about how the car was able to enter the road were 'legitimate'. He said: 'Water Street was not a route where vehicles were supposed to be using it, it was blocked off. 'At this end of it, which is the direction that it was coming in, towards The Strand, there were literally hundreds of thousands of people here, so no vehicle would have got through anyway. 'The questions, I suppose, are legitimate, but we have to give the police the time to conclude their investigations, which is what they're doing.' Questions are being asked as to how a car was able to drive into crowds and injure dozens of people, but no clear answers have yet emerged. The risk of such attacks was laid bare in 2016 when a lorry ploughed into pedestrians in Nice, France, and the following year in London when vehicles were driven into crowds on Westminster Bridge and London Bridge. Both permanent and temporary barriers and bollards are used commonly to protect the public, as seen in the massive security operation for the Queen's funeral in 2022 which was the largest ever deployment of such measures. Footage of the incident circulating online appeared to show people in the crowd following the Liverpool's celebrations attempting to get close to the driver of the car, with one managing to open the driver's car door. Videos then appeared to show the driver close the car door before suddenly speeding up and veering into pedestrians on both sides of the crowded street. The clips posted on social media then showed people from the crowds attempt to chase the driver – with some kicking the vehicle and smashing the back window. Officers quickly surrounded the car as witnesses attempted to stop the driver, who was eventually detained by police. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday, Rotheram said he was hopeful that those seriously injured 'pull through very, very quickly'. Our CEO Billy Hogan has issued a message following the incident that occurred on Water Street during Monday's trophy parade in the city. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 27, 2025 He told the broadcaster: 'The actual incident in Water Street will live with those people for all the wrong reasons and that's where we have to really focus our minds. 'There are still four people who are very, very ill in hospital and we are hoping of course that they pull through very, very quickly.' Former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, who attended Sunday's final game of the season before watching the parade, wrote on Instagram: 'My family and I are shocked and devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured and affected. You'll never walk alone.' Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan said in a video posted on the club's website: 'This weekend was one of celebration, emotion and joy spread across the city in our entire fan base, and it ended in unimaginable scenes of distress with this appalling incident. 'I'd like to pay tribute to our emergency services and partner agencies – Merseyside Police, North West and St John Ambulance Services, and Merseyside Fire and Rescue – who dealt with the incident, and now our hospital staff across the city who are dealing with those who are injured, including tragically four children. 'I would also like to thank our supporters who witnessed this event and helped each other where they could. 'We continue to work with the emergency services and the local authorities to support their ongoing investigation and once again we would ask if anyone has any further information about the incident, please contact Merseyside Police.' The Prime Minister said he was in close contact with Rotheram about the incident, adding: 'Scenes of joy turned to utter horror and devastation, and my thoughts and the thoughts of the whole country are with all of those that are affected, those injured, which of course includes children, their families, their friends, the whole community, Liverpool fans everywhere.' Sir Keir Starmer also said it was a 'matter for the police' that they gave details about the man who was arrested. Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said four people who were trapped under the car, including a child, were rescued by firefighters. At a press conference late on Monday evening, Dave Kitchin from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured. He said two of those taken to hospital, including one of the children, suffered serious injuries.
