Glasgow City Council is currently holding a public consultation on the introduction of a 5% visitor levy on overnight stays in the city.
The introduction of a tourist tax could generate over £12 million per year, but the council are refusing to spend the funds on public services which benefit the people of Glasgow. Instead, they want to reinvest it back into tourism.
Across Glasgow, our community centres, sports facilities, and libraries are at risk of permanent closure, and we are in the middle of a housing crisis. Tourists are welcome in our city, but big tourism businesses such as Airbnb do not need an injection of public funds - they are already raking in massive profits.
After pressure from Living Rent, Edinburgh City Council are investing money from their tourist tax into housing. Why can’t Glasgow council do the same?
We are demanding:
- The tourist tax to be set at 8.5%
-
The council to use the funds raised to
- Invest in public services
- Bring derelict buildings back into community use
- Reopen community venues
- Invest in social housing
- Build social homes not mid market
- Repurchase empty properties
By signing this petition I give my consent to Living Rent to respond to Glasgow City Council’s Tourist Tax consultation on my behalf with these demands.
