A potential ‘tourist tax’ could result in families facing affordability challenges for domestic vacations, with concerns raised by the government. Additionally, small enterprises such as guesthouses and B&Bs fear possible closures due to this proposed measure.
Labour is suggesting the implementation of a “visitor levy” by regional mayors in England, a practice already existing in some European nations. Although specifics are yet to be determined, the levy might be either a fixed per-person fee or a percentage of the total accommodation cost.
Critics argue that for a family of four embarking on a two-week summer holiday, the levy could inflate expenses by over £100. In a scenario where a family of six spends four nights in Blackpool for £49 in May, the cost could nearly double to £97, opponents claim.
UKHospitality has jointly penned a letter signed by 200 businesses of varied sizes, cautioning Chancellor Rachel Reeves about the potential negative impacts of this tax.
In other news, Zoopla’s recent research has unveiled the most financially feasible property locations in the UK. Sunderland emerges as the most affordable city in England, with average monthly mortgage payments amounting to 17% of the typical monthly income.
Aberdeen tops the list in Scotland for single buyers, with average monthly mortgage payments of £438 based on an average property value of £114,700. Greene King has disclosed plans to inaugurate 30 new franchise pubs this year, expanding its operations into Wales and the Southwest of England by 2026.
Moreover, mortgage arrears among home owners have decreased, with 80,490 cases recorded in the final quarter of 2025, marking a 4% drop from the previous quarter. Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, the decline follows several Bank of England interest rate reductions.
The FTSE 100 index reached a new peak in early trading, providing a positive outlook for pension savers and investors. The index’s record surge is attributed to the majority of companies earning their profits abroad.
Furthermore, Côte Brasserie has introduced a special offer for children during half term. Available for a limited time, the offer includes discounted kids’ meals linked to adult main course purchases.
Marks & Spencer secures the top spot for in-store supermarket customer satisfaction in a recent Which? survey, commended for quality, service, and store experience. On the contrary, troubled Asda ranks lowest for both in-store and online shopping experiences.
Lastly, the UK economy experienced modest growth of 0.1% in the final quarter of 2025, falling short of expert predictions. Despite this, the overall annual growth rate improved from 1.1% to 1.3%, reflecting positive economic trends.