Key Points
- According to the News Team of Richmond Council, the Leader of Richmond Council, Councillor Gareth Roberts, has attacked plans for a London tourist tax, referring to the proposal as a financial “kick in the teeth” for the area.
- The new national policy is following the government consultation, which allows regional mayors and combined authorities to bring in the Overnight Visitor Levy, which should provide money for local high streets, public transport and public spaces.
- In order to protect consumers, the government announced that the levy will be charged proportionally to accommodation costs, but not in a fixed rate, with exemptions from paying the levy for temporary accommodations and shelters.
- The Richmond borough receives roughly 4.5 million tourists a year, including about 600,000 overnight visitors who come to visit such sites as Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace, and the Richmond council claims that there is a great pressure put on the local infrastructure by the large number of tourists.
- Cllr Roberts disagreed with the idea that funds received locally would be going directly to the City Hall without being reinvested locally.
- A spokesman for the mayor of London said that any decisions regarding the funding were yet to be made.
uk/local/richmond-upon-thames/richmond/">Richmond (West London Times) September 15, 2026 — The Leader of Richmond Council, Councillor Gareth Roberts, has strongly criticised proposals for a London tourist tax, labelling the scheme a financial ‘kick in the teeth’ for the borough. As reported by the News Team of Richmond Council, Cllr Roberts slammed the announcement over concerns that revenue generated locally would be directed entirely to City Hall rather than being reinvested into local services.
The nationwide policy, announced following a government consultation, grants regional mayors and combined authorities the power to introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy. Whitehall framed the move as a major shift in fiscal devolution—bringing England in line with international tourism hotspots like the US, Germany, and Italy—designed to give local leaders tools to invest in high streets, public transport, and public spaces.
To protect consumers, the government confirmed that the levy will be charged as a percentage of accommodation costs rather than a flat fee, with exemptions built in for temporary accommodation and shelters. However, the plan has immediately triggered fierce local friction.
How do visitor numbers impact local infrastructure in Richmond?
While welcoming the millions of visitors who travel to the borough annually—including to major landmarks like Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace, Richmond Park, and locations featured in hit television series such as Ted Lasso—Richmond Council argued that high visitor numbers place a heavy burden on local infrastructure.
Richmond welcomes around 4.5 million visitors each year, with approximately 600,000 staying overnight. The local authority maintains that day-trippers and overnight guests alike contribute to increased wear and tear on roads, pavements, parks, and waste services.
What did Councillor Gareth Roberts say about the revenue allocation?
Launching a scathing attack on the proposals, Cllr Roberts stated:
“The idea of a tourist tax has merit, but for all of the money to be taken out of Richmond and grabbed by the mayor of London to add to his already swollen coffers leaving nothing for the borough is simply wrong.”
As reported by the News Team of Richmond Council, Cllr Roberts added:
“We love being a beacon for tourists, but welcome as our visitors are they come with a price tag. More street bins need emptying, there’s more wear and tear on our roads and pavements, more impact on our parks and open spaces – and that’s before we consider how much we spend promoting the borough as a great place to visit. All this costs money, lots of money, so for the money which that is raised in Richmond from a tourist tax to go straight to City Hall is just another kick in the teeth for Richmond.”
Cllr Roberts also linked the tourist levy to wider financial friction with central and regional authorities, pointing to recent reductions in central government funding and debates surrounding property taxation.
Furthermore, Cllr Roberts stated:
“Whether we’re talking about the 600,000 annual overnight visitors or the millions who flock to Richmond during the day, tourists are a welcome boost to Richmond, but it’s one that comes with a price tag. All we’re asking for is fairness, for the government to recognise that they’re already stripping us of key funding and that this is one way in which we could have had some more money coming into the borough. Taking money away from boroughs and handing it to the mayor make absolutely no sense for a government that talks a big game on devolving powers. This just puts more power and more money into the hands of the mayor who already has quite enough of both.”
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How has City Hall responded to the backlash from Richmond Council?
In response to the concerns raised by Richmond Council, a spokesperson for the mayor of London defended the ongoing planning process and emphasised that final funding frameworks have not yet been locked in.
As reported by the News Team of Richmond Council, a spokesperson for the mayor of London stated:
“No decisions have been taken on how revenue from any future London Visitor Levy would be allocated.”
The spokesperson added:
“Boroughs will be important partners in developing any scheme, and the mayor will work closely with London Councils and individual boroughs to understand local pressures and consider how any revenue could best support London’s visitor economy.”
City Hall background figures indicate that the proposed visitor levy across London would be capped at no more than 5 per cent of total accommodation costs, though the exact design and revenue-sharing mechanisms remain subject to future consultation.
Background of the Particular Development
The debate surrounding the Overnight Visitor Levy stems from broader governmental pushes toward fiscal devolution across England, aiming to empower regional mayors. Inspired by established international models in tourist-heavy countries such as the United States, Germany, and Italy, the policy seeks to grant combined authorities independent financial mechanisms to maintain and improve public amenities.
However, the intersection between regional mayoral funding and individual borough council responsibilities has historically created financial friction. Local authorities, facing tightened central government settlements and increased operational costs for maintaining public spaces, heritage sites, and waste management, are increasingly protective of locally generated tax revenues.
This development could significantly impact local hoteliers, tourism businesses, and borough councils across Greater London. If the levy is implemented without direct revenue-sharing agreements that benefit host boroughs, local authorities like Richmond Council may face widening budget shortfalls as they attempt to manage tourist-driven infrastructure wear without compensatory funding. Conversely, a compromise that routes a portion of the capped accommodation levy back to individual boroughs could alleviate municipal maintenance burdens, though hoteliers remain watchful regarding potential impacts on visitor demand and competitive pricing against neighboring regions.
