Region gaining power is good for economy

Mayor of the West of England

- Helen Godwin

LAST week's Budget was a big moment for our country and our region, as we continue working with the government to create jobs, secure investment, and drive economic growth.

There's more investment in housing, in skills, and more powers being given to mayors. We will see more decisions about the West of England being made in the West of England.

That starts with plans for an overnight visitor levy, sometimes called a tourist tax. A national consultation is underway, before Parliament passes the laws to give regional mayors like me the power to introduce a small levy. Readers will be used to paying that in places across Europe and beyond, with the money often invested into local transport. We need to get the detail right, look at the evidence, and consult with tourism businesses, including the travel trade. Bath and Bristol have long been campaigning for this so we'll be working with local councils too, as we look to grow our £2.7 billion visitor economy which already supports 43,000 jobs.