Children and young people are set to be exempt from paying the lower rate of the visitor accommodation levy, following a commitment made in the Senedd yesterday.

The Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) (Wales) Bill aims to give local authorities the power to introduce a levy on overnight stays in visitor accommodation.

During the Stage 1 debate on April 1, 2025, Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford confirmed that under-18s staying in lower-rated accommodation “would now be exempt altogether”, after reconsidering the evidence presented by youth organisations during the scrutiny process.

ScoutsCymru provides skills, adventure and leadership opportunities for thousands of young people across Wales. Alongside others in the youth sector, ScoutsCymru had expressed concern that the levy could unintentionally make it harder for young people to access affordable outdoor learning experiences – particularly those from lower-income families.

Kerrie Gemmill, Chief Executive of ScoutsCymru, said:

“This is a really positive step forward. Ensuring that under-18s are not charged the visitor levy when staying at the lower rate accommodation sends a strong signal about the value we place on youth development and access to the outdoors in Wales.

“We’re grateful that the Welsh Government has listened to the evidence from youth organisations and acted on it. While there is still more to do to ensure the final legislation supports volunteer-led, not-for-profit providers, this exemption is very welcome and will help protect vital experiences for young people across the country.

“ScoutsCymru is keen to continue engaging with Welsh Government and Members of the Senedd as the Bill moves to the next stage, to ensure the final legislation is fair and proportionate for organisations like ours.”

ScoutsCymru has also reiterated concerns about the administrative burden placed on volunteers if registration is required for Scout huts, church halls, or other facilities where overnight accommodation is not the primary purpose. As adult volunteers are required to accompany children on overnight activities, the organisation warns that they too could be caught by the levy – despite its youth-focused exemption.

The Bill will now progress to Stage 2, where further amendments and guidance will be considered.

ScoutsCymru is calling for clear guidance and consideration of exemptions for charitable and volunteer-run organisations, particularly those where accommodation plays a supporting role rather than being the main function.