00:03Mayors and other local leaders, including London's, were told earlier this month that
00:08they will be given powers to charge an overnight visitor levy to collect money from people
00:13who choose to visit their areas.
00:16But Shadow Culture Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay warned on Thursday that the
00:22tax would be applied in cases where overnight visitors were not on holiday.
00:27Local Government Minister Baroness Blake of Leeds said there will be exemptions to the
00:34levy.
00:34This could include bereaved funeral-goers and hospital visitors.
00:40It would apply to all short-term visitor accommodation, bar certain national exemptions and discretionary
00:46local ones.
00:48These national exemptions include accommodation not provided on a commercial basis, such as
00:54charitable accommodation for shelter or refuge.
00:58Authorities could choose to exempt accommodation types from the charge, such as tent pitches
01:04or hostels, while some mayors have announced they will not implement a tourist tax.
01:10The Mayor of London said a well-designed modest levy has the potential to provide an important
01:16additional source of funding to support growth, strengthen London's offers of visitors and help
01:23the city remain globally competitive.
01:26The Mayor of London said a well-designed
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