Families are at risk of being priced out of domestic vacations due to a proposed ‘tourist tax,’ which could also potentially force small businesses like guesthouses and B&Bs to shut down. The Labour party is suggesting the implementation of a “visitor levy” by regional mayors in England for overnight stays, similar to systems in place in some European countries. The specific details of this levy are still being ironed out, but it could involve a per person fee or a percentage of the accommodation cost.
Critics argue that this proposed tax could significantly increase vacation expenses, with projections suggesting that a family of four on a two-week summer holiday might face over £100 in additional charges. In an extreme scenario, a family of six staying in Blackpool for four nights at £49 could see their bill nearly double to £97.
UKHospitality, a trade body, has raised concerns by sending a joint letter signed by 200 businesses of various sizes to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, warning about the potential negative impacts of the proposed tax.
In other news, new research from Zoopla has identified Sunderland as the most affordable city in England for single property buyers, with average monthly mortgage payments accounting for 17% of the typical monthly salary. The average price of a one or two-bedroom home in Sunderland is £106,700, while the average income for a single individual is £28,600. Similarly, Havering in London and Aberdeen in Scotland have been pinpointed as the most affordable areas for single buyers based on property prices and monthly mortgage payments.
Additionally, Greene King has announced plans to open 30 new franchise pubs this year, expanding its operations into new regions like Scotland, Wales, and the Southwest of England. This move follows the successful establishment of 100 franchise Hive and Nest concept pubs by Greene King Pub Partners.
Furthermore, data from UK Finance indicates a decrease in the number of mortgage borrowers falling behind on repayments, with 80,490 home owner mortgages in arrears in the final quarter of 2025 – a 4% reduction from the previous quarter. Despite ongoing economic challenges, including the cost of living crisis, several Bank of England interest rate cuts have contributed to this positive trend.
The FTSE 100 reached a new record high in early trading, with the index climbing approximately 34 points to over 10,500. This surge, along with record highs in other European markets, was driven by the strong performance of UK companies with substantial overseas earnings.
Moreover, Côte Brasserie has introduced a special half-term offer for children, providing a two-course kids’ meal for £1 with every full-price adult main course. This offer is available through the Côte app and targets children aged 12 and under.
In a recent Which? survey, Marks & Spencer was recognized as Britain’s best in-store supermarket for customer satisfaction, praised for its quality, service, and overall shopping experience. Tesco and Waitrose also received high rankings, while Asda and Morrisons were rated lowest for in-store shopping satisfaction.
Lastly, the UK economy experienced a modest 0.1% growth in the final quarter of 2025, below expert predictions of 0.2%. However, the Office for National Statistics confirmed a slight improvement in overall annual growth from 1.1% to 1.3%. Chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighted the government’s economic strategy, emphasizing interest rate cuts, decreasing inflation, and positioning the UK as the fastest growing G7 economy in Europe.
