{"alias":"newsItem","byline":"Dwayne Fields, Chief Scout","standfirst":"We\u2019re deeply concerned about a proposed new Mayoral power to create visitor levies on overnight stays in England. Unless important exemptions are made, these life-changing opportunities will be put out of reach for many.  ","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003ECamps and nights away are at the heart of what we do in Scouts. They\u2019re vital to building our 450,000 young people\u2019s resilience, confidence and skills. Spending time away from home helps them think for themselves and feel good. At camp they forge deeper friendships and learn to be part of a team.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EWhy nights away matter\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIndependent research from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation (\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://learningaway-org-uk.stackstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/LA-Final-Report-May-2015-1-1.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Learning Away report\u0022\u003ELearning Away\u003C/a\u003E) showed that 71% of young people get on better with peers as a result of their residential experience, and 87% felt more confident to try new things.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECamps and sleepovers are also times for young people to be in nature. When nearly three quarters of young people spend most of their free time on screens, this precious time away is more important than ever. \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003ESignificant concerns\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe recognise the government\u0027s objectives in introducing visitor levies to support local investment and sustainable tourism. However, we\u2019ve significant concerns about the impact of the proposals on volunteer-led youth organisations.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe proposed new visitor levy on overnight stays in England would impact negatively on Scout residentials, adding cost and red tape.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAccommodation for youth development falls within scope of the levy despite being run for charitable purpose by volunteers, on minimal budgets.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/4jdanmcu/db-20230429-3233-93434.jpg","width":6990,"height":4660,"altText":"Scouts camping ","caption":"All Scouts benefit from nights away","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EReducing accessibility\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis proposed new legislation risks putting these experiences out of reach of the young people who need them most. The levy would even extend to Scout groups holding sleepovers at their own HQs. \u0026nbsp;\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EThat\u2019s why we\u2019re calling for:\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA national exemption for under-18s to protect youth development opportunities\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA national exemption for charity-run hostels, campsites, activity centres, and meeting places, recognising that they\u2019re distinct from commercial accommodation providers\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ENo further administrative burdens to be placed on small-scale, volunteer-run facilities\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re sure our legislators did not intend for these new laws to stop Cubs from Hackney going to camp in Epping Forest or Explorer Scouts from Manchester sleeping under the stars in the Cumbrian fells. \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELet common sense prevail and help us protect the experiences that boost all our young people\u2019s health, happiness and future prospects. \u00A0\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/rfsf4skp/250615_dsc3154_mmp.jpg","width":7438,"height":4959,"altText":"Three Scouts in tent ","caption":"Nights away help young people learn to be part of a team","link":null}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"19 February 2026","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[],"id":88940,"nodeName":"Keep nights away accessible","title":"Let\u2019s keep nights away accessible for all","type":"newsItem","image":{"url":"/media/4jdanmcu/db-20230429-3233-93434.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dd0944e14b7db0","caption":"DB 20230429 3233 93434","type":"jpg","size":988265,"width":6990,"height":4660,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Let\u2019s keep nights away accessible for all","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"We\u2019re deeply concerned about a proposed new Mayoral power to create visitor levies on overnight stays in England.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84ODk0MCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2026/february/keep-nights-away-accessible/"}