Progressive Budget good for growth in our region

THIS week's Budget is 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.

- HELEN GODWIN

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 cities 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.

Bristol and Bath 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.