Tourists may have to pay £1-a-night "bed tax" to stay at central London hotels

Tourists staying in central London may soon have to pay £1-a-night “bed tax”.

London councils including Camden council are hoping to raise £5m a year from the levy.

Camden council claims that government cuts have left it short of money for paying for services like cleaning the streets.

Theo Blackwell, Camden’s cabinet member for finance, told The Guardian: “We face £70m 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% cut.”

Many European cities including Paris, Berlin and Barcelona levy a similar charge on tourists.

Is the new levy a good idea? Let us know your thoughts @Londonlovesbiz

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