Date of meeting: 29 January 2026
Proposer: Cllr Ivan Lyons
Seconder: Cllr Emma Hogan
Ward(s) affected: All
Notice of Motion
Conservative Group
This Council acknowledges that:
1. The Government announced in the Budget that Mayors of Strategic Authorities will be permitted to levy a tax on overnight visitors;
2. Hospitality businesses already face financial pressure following increases to National Insurance and business rates;
3. There are concerns this administration may lobby the government for the powers to implement a Tourism Tax in Brighton & Hove, helping continue to suppress visitor numbers to the city;
4. That the introduction of a Tourist Tax will impose another financial burden on local hotels, B&Bs, and tourism-based businesses;
5. That a Tourism Tax would deter buyers for the Pavilion Pier coming forward;
6. That a Tourist Tax would be passed directly onto visitors, increasing holiday costs during a period of high living expenses, undermining efforts to reduce the cost of living;
7. That local economies, particularly those dependent on seasonal visitors rely heavily on a thriving hospitality industry, and this additional tax risks making local areas less competitive compared to other UK and international destinations.
This council therefore resolves to call for:
1. The Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government expressing this Council’s concerns regarding the potential impact of this tax on local businesses and requesting the Government reconsider this proposal and engage with hospitality businesses and industry experts to assess the economic harm and potential alternatives.
Supporting Information:
Brighton leader: ‘Tourism tax should come to councils’ | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)