Daily Mail columnist Patrick Dardis criticises Labour's proposed "overnight visitor levy", a new tourism tax he warns could devastate seaside towns such as Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset and hospitality businesses nationwide. He argues the policy, confirmed by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, would compound existing pressures on the sector from higher national insurance contributions, the rising minimum wage and business rates, and risks accelerating economic decline in communities already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

Under the plan, councils and mayors would gain powers to impose their own uncapped nightly tax on accommodation, calculated as a percentage of costs that already include 20% VAT. Trade body UK Hospitality estimates the levy could add £100 to £120 to a typical family holiday, cost 33,000 jobs and remove £2 billion from the economy, while Dardis notes a similar scheme in Scotland has already forced five councils to pause it after damage to businesses such as Scottish Ballet. He contrasts this with Andy Burnham's more modest £1-a-night Manchester levy, warning that Burnham-on-Sea, which draws over 930,000 visitors a year but relies on relatively low-spending tourists, could be particularly hard hit.