Burnham-On-Sea MP Ashley Fox has spoken out strongly against Government plans to give local mayors and authorities the power to introduce a ‘holiday tax’, warning that the move could harm tourism businesses and increase the cost of family breaks in coastal communities such as Burnham‑On‑Sea, Berrow and Brean.
The proposed overnight visitor levy would allow authorities to add a percentage charge to stays in hotels, B&Bs, holiday lets and other visitor accommodation.
Ashley Fox says he thinks the policy risks placing further pressure on an already stretched tourism sector and could leave families with less money to spend in local shops, cafés, pubs and attractions.
He has previously met tourism businesses across the Burnham area to hear first‑hand how rising employment costs, energy bills and other overheads are affecting the industry.
He says an additional charge would make domestic holidays less affordable and could deter visitors from choosing Somerset’s coast.
Ashley Fox said he remains “firmly opposed” to the holiday tax, adding that Burnham‑On‑Sea, Berrow and Brean have “thriving visitor economies which support thousands of jobs and businesses” and should be backed rather than burdened.
He said: “Hard‑working families should not be charged extra for enjoying a holiday in their own county or their own country. Domestic holidays are already expensive enough, and this levy would leave visitors with less money to spend in the local businesses that rely upon them. The Government should abandon this policy and focus on supporting our coastal communities, making Britain more competitive and helping more families enjoy holidays here at home.”
The announcement also has implications for Somerset, which is working with Dorset, Wiltshire and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole councils on plans for a new Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority.
Under the Government’s proposals, such authorities could be given the power to introduce a holiday tax across the region.
Ashley Fox is calling on Somerset Council and those involved in developing the Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority to rule out supporting or introducing any form of holiday tax affecting Somerset.
