ScoutsCymru has welcomed the exemption of under-18s from the Visitor Levy (Wales) Bill at Stage 4 in the Senedd, calling it a positive step that will help keep overnight stays affordable for children and young people taking part in activities such as camps and residentials.

ScoutsCymru is proud of the role it played in shaping the debate, while remaining concerned about the potential administrative burden the levy could place on volunteer-run organisations such as Scouts.

ScoutsCymru also wants to recognise the extraordinary efforts of its movement across Wales. Its volunteer leaders wrote to and met with their Members of the Senedd, sharing real-life examples of the value of affordable overnight stays, bringing the discussion to life. Their voices made a difference, and their actions demonstrated just how much this legislation meant to our young people and volunteers.

As the focus now shifts to implementation at local authority level, it is vital that the unintended consequences of the Bill are addressed. ScoutsCyrmu was pleased during Stage 2, to see the helpful indication that church halls and community centres are unlikely to fall within scope.

Now that the Bill has passed and awaits Royal Assent, the body remains concerned that volunteer-run accommodation, such as activity centres and campsites focused on youth development, still fall within scope simply because they offer overnight stays. These are not commercial businesses but are not-for-profit, volunteer-led spaces that provide young people with life-changing experiences. Yet if the levy is introduced locally, volunteers could face an additional administrative burden to register, report, and process payments.

For this reason, ScoutsCymru will continue to engage constructively in the next phase, working with local authorities as they consult on whether or not to introduce the levy in their areas - and ensuring the practical implications are fully understood and carefully considered.