Visitors face tourist tax for key English cities as mayors handed new powers

The Government said it will give local leaders the power to impose a "modest charge" on visitors staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and holiday lets

Mayors will be given powers to impose a new tourist tax on overnight stays.

The Government said it will give local leaders the power to impose a "modest charge" on visitors staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and holiday lets. Similar rules exist in cities like New York, Paris and Milan.

The move, which will allow mayors to raise funds for local projects like transport and infrastructure, was welcomed by Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham and Sir Sadiq Khan , the Mayor of London. But hospitality bosses branded it a "damaging holiday tax" and said it would be passed onto consumers.

It comes as Rachel Ree