Cllr Paul Swaddle OBE, Leader of Westminster City Council, has launched a petition calling on the Mayor of London to commit to passing on at least 50% of any new tourist tax revenue to the London boroughs that deliver the services visitors rely on.
The call follows the Government's announcement that mayors in England will be given the power to introduce an overnight visitor levy on hotels and other accommodation, with Sadiq Khan indicating he wants to introduce the tax in London "sooner rather than later," at a rate of up to 5% of the cost of a hotel room.
Cllr Swaddle said:
"If (the Mayor) does so, then he needs to commit to passing on fifty percent to the local boroughs across London and Westminster.
"It's vital to help support the services that help the tourist economy.
"Westminster spends over £119 million pounds a year servicing that economy. We need a fair share for Westminster."
Cllr Swaddle has previously warned there would be "precisely zero benefit to Westminster residents and businesses" if the Mayor does not share revenue raised with councils.
If you agree that the Mayor should share revenue raised from the "tourist tax" with the local councils that provide the services the sector relies on, add your name to our petition below.
