Families are at risk of being priced out of local vacations due to a proposed ‘tourist tax’, as highlighted by concerns raised to the government. Small enterprises, including guesthouses and B&Bs, fear potential closures as a consequence. The Labour party suggests granting regional mayors in England the authority to implement a “visitor levy” on overnight accommodations, akin to existing practices in some European nations.
While the exact mechanisms of this levy are yet to be determined, it could involve a per-person fee or a percentage of the total stay cost. Critics argue that such a charge could substantially increase expenses for families, potentially adding over £100 to a two-week summer holiday for a family of four. In extreme cases, a family of six holidaying in May for four nights in Blackpool at £49 might witness the cost nearly doubling to £97.
Highlighting the potential repercussions, UKHospitality, a trade association, has dispatched a collective letter signed by 200 businesses, both large and small, to Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The letter underscores the adverse effects foreseen from the proposed tourist tax.
In a separate context, research from Zoopla has disclosed the most affordable property hotspots for singles in the UK. Sunderland emerges as the most budget-friendly city in England, where average monthly mortgage payments account for 17% of the typical monthly income. The average price for a one or two-bedroom home in Sunderland stands at £106,700, aligning with the average single-person income of £28,600.
Similarly, Havering in London is identified as the most economical borough by Zoopla, with average home prices around £305,200 for a one or two-bedroom residence, equivalent to approximately 7.3 times the average single buyer’s earnings of £41,600. In Scotland, Aberdeen is recognized as the most affordable city for single buyers, with average monthly mortgage payments totaling £438, based on an average property value of £114,700.
Moreover, Greene King, a prominent pub operator, has unveiled plans to establish 30 new franchise pubs within the current year. Having recently achieved a significant milestone of 100 franchise Hive and Nest concept pubs, Greene King intends to expand its franchise operations into Wales and the Southwest of England in 2026, following successful ventures in Scotland under the Belhaven brand.
Furthermore, mortgage arrears among borrowers in the UK have decreased, as reported by UK Finance, with 80,490 homeowner mortgages in arrears during the final quarter of 2025, reflecting a 4% decline from the previous quarter. Despite the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, the reduction in arrears is attributed to several interest rate cuts by the Bank of England. Mortgage arrears accounted for 0.92% of all homeowner mortgages and 0.50% of buy-to-let mortgages.
In the financial realm, the FTSE 100 index achieved a new record high in early trading sessions, providing a positive outlook for pension savers and investors. The index surged approximately 34 points, surpassing 10,500, with other European markets also hitting record levels. This remarkable performance is primarily attributed to the majority of index companies generating substantial earnings from overseas operations.
Additionally, French-themed restaurant chain 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 or a discounted kids’ breakfast with every adult meal. The offer is applicable to children aged 12 and can be redeemed through the restaurant’s app, joining a lineup of chains offering similar promotions.
Lastly, Marks & Spencer has been recognized as Britain’s top in-store supermarket for customer satisfaction in a recent Which? survey. Shoppers lauded M&S for its quality, service, and overall store experience, despite slightly higher prices compared to competitors. Tesco also performed well in the survey, jointly securing the second-highest ranking alongside Waitrose, while Asda and Morrisons ranked lowest for in-store shopping experiences.