MSP undecided on bed tax seeks answers

NORTH MSP Gail Ross wants a broad consultation on Highland Council's plan to introduce a £1-per-person-per-night tourist bed tax.

Implementing a levy would require Scottish Parliament legislation.

The SNP MSP, who represents Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has written to Economy Secretary Derek Mackay seeking a full consultation on the issue amid strongly contrasting public opinion on the tax proposal.

Council leaders backed an amendment to an SNP motion on funding for public toilets which called on the Scottish Government to pass on tax received from tourists to fund such facilities.

Since then, council convener Bill Lobban gave evidence to the parliament's tourism committee and argued that a bed tax posed no economic risk.

Ms Ross said: "There's been a lot of talk in the past few years about the introduction of a tourist tax. As we see more and more tourists flocking to the area, I think now is the time to have a serious conversation. I'm neither for nor against the idea but I feel there's too much confusion over what it means, who would pay it, how much it would bring in and what it would pay for."

She claimed there was an air of "confusion" in council circles.

"Cllr Lobban called for a share of the tax received by the Scottish Government from tourists but has now called for a bed levy," Ms Ross said.

"The council administration, supported by the Tories, need to make up their mind, as the amendment they supported won't actually generate additional income."

Mr Lobban, a former SNP councillor who now sits as an independent, said: "I think Ms Ross has missed the point.

"The provision of services, used by tourists and locals alike, costs money and in these days of ever reducing funding from central government every council needs to look for options to increase revenue.

"A tourist tax is one of those options – an option which could vastly improve our infrastructure without placing an additional tax burden on those who both Ms Ross and I represent."