Fresh calls for tourist tax powers for Edinburgh Council

There are fresh calls today for local authorities - including Edinburgh Council - to be given the powers to introduce a tourist tax.

COSLA - the body that represents local government - wants the Scottish Government to hand down the powers.

Edinburgh Council has previously discussed desires to implement the tax and charge tourists in the city extra, in order to bring in more money.

It's thought visitors bring in £1.3bn to the local economy a year.

Gail MacGregor from COSLA said: "The cost of maintaining the local environment and public services, which draw tourists, falls heavily on the public purse. Sustaining this is at significant risk without new ways to invest.

"Our next step on this journey will be to work with the tourism industry and sector in close partnership to allay any concerns they may have."