5. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns of the City of Edinburgh Council that it could still be two years away from having the powers to implement a transient visitor levy. (S6O-02272)

As part of the Government’s priorities for Scotland announced by the First Minister on 18 April, we are committed to delivering, subject to Parliament’s agreement, legislation giving councils the power to apply a visitor levy, if they choose to do so. Once any bill is introduced, the timetable for its consideration is, of course, a matter for Parliament.

I thank the minister for that answer.

I have been calling for a levy for years now, so it is frustrating to see how long it is taking to get that action from the Scottish Government. The minister will be aware that many cities in Europe successfully operate visitor levies. The City of Edinburgh Council has well-developed plans to implement a levy, and it estimates that approximately £15 million a year could be raised to help to fund vital local services. Will the minister meet me and the City of Edinburgh Council to discuss the levy in detail and ensure that Edinburgh and, indeed, other areas in Scotland that want to do so can implement such measures as soon as they have the power to do so?

I would be delighted to do that.

I am also supportive of a visitor levy in Edinburgh, as are many organisations, including from the business community.

However, good implementation and development are important, so does the minister agree that it is vital that we take the appropriate and necessary time to take a bill through Parliament and give the relevant councils that wish to utilise the power, and stakeholders, adequate time to prepare and to effectively administer and collect the levy?

Yes, absolutely. I agree entirely with Mr Macpherson. I pay tribute to Ben Macpherson for the work that he undertook as the Minister for Public Finance and Migration prior to the pandemic, and his engagement with local authorities on the measure. Once the bill is introduced in Parliament, I will, of course, be delighted to engage with all members and local authorities.

Of course, rigorous parliamentary scrutiny will be important to ensure that the legislation that is, ultimately, put before Parliament for a final vote is as robust as it can and should be.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

I call Miles Briggs, but with a reminder that members need to be in the chamber at the start of portfolio questions. They can sometimes finish early, but it is roll-on business.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.

Does the minister believe that there might be a link between the City of Edinburgh Council being the only council that is looking to take forward a tourist tax and the fact that the City of Edinburgh Council receives the lowest level of funding per head of population from the Government?

I would not presume to speak on behalf of the

City of Edinburgh Council, but I recognise that Edinburgh city is not just the premier tourist destination for Scotland and, indeed, the UK, but is a premier tourist destination for the world, which is something that we should all be proud of.