The government are considering plans to empower local authorities in England to introduce a tourist tax. English local authorities currently have no powers to raise a tourist level although some have introduced it via a legal loophole.
The Scottish Government have introduced similar powers and the Welsh have similar plans and many devolved mayors have been pushing for these measures.
If introduced the new tax could see and increase to hotel and BnB stays of £1 to £2 per person, not a huge sum but very unwelcome in a struggling holiday market. It seems unclear whether this tax would or could be applied to the growing Airbnb market, would could be seen as unfair.