Youth hostelling charity (YHA England & Wales) has warned that a proposed visitor levy in England could make residentials even less accessible for the children who benefit from them most.
With the cost-of-living crisis deepening and millions of children living in poverty, the youth hostelling charity says too many young people are already missing out and it is urging the government to adopt two key measures that reduce the impact on children.
YHA is opposing the introduction of a visitor levy alongside 200 hospitality businesses. James Blake, CEO of YHA (England & Wales), was among the hospitality leaders who have written to the Chancellor calling for the plans to be scrapped.
The joint letter warns that the holiday tax would hit families hardest, put jobs at risk and drain spending from local communities.
YHA is urging the Government to exempt charities and not-for-profits providing accommodation in pursuit of charitable objects. It also wants young people’s stays to be exempt of the charges to protect school residentials and educational trips.
What is the visitor levy?
The proposed visitor levy would allow mayors in England to introduce tourist taxes to help councils raise money for improving local economies. The levy would apply to hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, hostels, campsites, self-catering properties and short-term lets, as well as university and religious accommodation when let commercially.
The levy would be set as a percentage of the price of the accommodation and VAT would be payable on the total cost of the overnight stay, including the levy.
YHA has warned that unless the government explicitly protects school residentials within its levy plans, even a small additional charge of £2 per person per night could put trips beyond the reach of more families already struggling to afford them.
James Blake, CEO of YHA (England & Wales) said: “The proposed levy risks becoming a tax on opportunity. When schools are already trimming residential programmes and families are under sustained financial pressure, even marginal increases matter.
“For disadvantaged children in particular, the impact is disproportionate.”
“Our bursary funds for children who can’t afford a residential are already oversubscribed. Any additional cost attached to overnight stays would stretch those funds further, meaning fewer children supported rather than more.”
Residentials remain unequal
Research conducted by educational charity, the Sutton Trust, found that half of school leaders reported their school had cut back on trips and outings in 2025 because of funding issues, up from the previous year.
The research also found that schools in the most disadvantaged areas were more likely to be impacted by cuts to trips, with 68% of leaders in the most deprived schools reporting cuts.
James Blake added: “At a time when Government talks about levelling up opportunity and investing in young people’s futures, we should be removing barriers to access, not adding to them. I would strongly encourage the Government to either drop their visitor levy plans or ensure young people, charities and not for profits are exempt. As it stands, the proposed levy is socially regressive.”
Click here for more information about the proposed visitor levy. To find out more about YHA, visit www.yha.org.uk.
