London tourists to face £1 ‘bed tax’ to stay in hotels

Tourists visiting London are set to face a £1 (N277) a night “bed tax” to stay in hotels as councils in central London (England) look to emulate foreign cities and raise more funds.

Theo Blackwell, Camden council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “We face £70 million of government cuts over the next three years. The money would be used to keep our streets clean and maintain and improve the public realm. Currently these budgets face a 20 per cent cut.”

It estimated the levy would raise £5 million a year, which could be spent on services, including street cleaning in busy tourist areas around Camden Lock.