Lib Dems welcome Tourism Levy - But Demands Liverpool’s Money Stays in Liverpool

Liverpool Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Carl Cashman has welcomed today’s news that the long-awaited tourism tax - officially the Overnight Accommodation Levy - can finally be introduced across the Liverpool City Region.

Cllr Cashman has raised serious concerns that control of the funding will sit with the Metro Mayor rather than with the councils that actually generate it.

Cllr Cashman said:

“This money from the levy could be a real boost for Liverpool - but only if the City Council has say on how it’s spent locally. Money raised in our city should be reinvested in our city, not siphoned off to plug gaps or bankroll pet projects elsewhere in the City Region.

“I’m calling on the Metro Mayor to give a clear and unambiguous guarantee that the majority of the money raised in each local authority will be ringfenced for spending in that authority. Liverpool taxpayers and Liverpool businesses deserve nothing less.”

Liverpool’s tourism and hospitality sector contributes the largest share of visitor overnight stays in the City Region, and the Liberal Democrats argue that the city must not be left subsidising schemes elsewhere - particularly given previous concerns around high-profile mayoral projects that failed to deliver value for money.

“This levy cannot be allowed to become a war chest for more headline-chasing experiments,” Cllr Cashman added. “If the Metro Mayor genuinely believes in transparency and accountability, he should commit to ringfencing the revenue - no ifs, no buts.”

The Liverpool Liberal Democrats will be pushing for formal assurances and a clear funding framework ahead of the levy’s implementation.