MP asks for medical exemptions to tourist tax plans

An MP has called on the government to introduce an exemption to tourist tax proposals for those staying in overnight accommodation for medical reasons.

Local leaders are set to gain new powers to charge an uncapped levy, dubbed a "tourist tax", as a percentage of the cost of hotels, bed and breakfasts and other types of accommodation.

Alicia Kearns, Conservative MP for Rutland and Stamford, said her husband had to stay in hotels when their four-month-old daughter had brain surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Kearns said that for families "facing the hardest time of their lives", an "additional cost burden put on them is just not acceptable, unforgivable".

Kearns said she had to fight for her daughter, now five, to receive surgery after initially being told there was "nothing wrong".

"Essentially, her skull had closed over prematurely when she was in utero," the MP said.

"I was very lucky that I fought for her and I worked up what she had, and I kept going until she got the surgery.

"But she then had to wear a helmet for 18 months, which put pressure on her skull to essentially reshape her entire face.

"We had to go and get this helmet refitted every four weeks, and at that appointment in London there were people who travelled from Cornwall, from Belfast, from all sorts of different places [all] over the country and they were having to come once a month, every month.

"They were having to stay overnight because often you'd have to come in in the morning, then they'd have to cut apart the helmet.

"The costs for these families are enormous."

She added: "You think it's been the best day of your life and your baby's born and then your baby has to be thrown into NICU and have to spend months there and every night you are having to either give up work because you're there to support your family, or you're having to desperately try and work while also caring for your baby.

"It is the worst time of your life and now people are going to have hundreds and hundreds of pounds put on top of their bills because they're having to stay in extra accommodation. It's wrong."

Labour's regional mayors in 10 city regions in England have pledged to cap a new fee on visitors overnight stays at 5%, after hospitality bosses warned it could put jobs at risk.

Reform UK's two regional mayors and the two Conservatives are likely to oppose any levy, given criticism from their national parties of the policy.

A government spokesperson said: "Mayors and local leaders have been given this new power as part of a historic devolution drive that shifts power out of Westminster and into local hands.

"All funds raised from the levy will be invested in the local economy, from high streets to public transport and events that boost tourism and drive good growth - benefitting visitors, businesses and local people."

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.