Question reference: S6W-22789
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 8 November 2023
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Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 16 November 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for refugees staying in temporary accommodation in Scotland.
Answer
The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill defines overnight accommodation as a room, space, or other accommodation at a type of premises that is provided for residential purposes other than as the individual's only or usual place of residence. Refugees who are staying in overnight accommodation as their only or main residence will therefore not be liable to pay a visitor levy, if a local authority chooses to introduce one. The Bill provides for a local authority to put such exemptions in place as it believes are appropriate, informed by advice in national guidance being developed by local government and business organisations in the Visitor Levy Expert Group.