Dr Neil Hudson has joined more than 40 MPs in calling for the Chancellor to give hospitality and businesses the certainty they need and deserve ahead of the Spring Budget.
In a letter to the Chancellor led by Simon Jupp MP, Dr Hudson joined calls for a host of measures to ease pressures on the hospitality and tourism sector.
Dr Hudson paid tribute to the Conservative Government's action on industry challenges to date which include supporting businesses through the pandemic and extending draught relief. However, with the visitor sector contributing so much to Penrith and The Border through growth and employment, Dr Hudson was spurred on by local calls for support on high energy bills, rising wage costs and rural accommodation challenges for workers.
As such, the group of MPs are calling for action on business rates, where hospitality and tourism businesses pay an inflated premium compared to online retailers. MPs argue that ONS data shows that the sector overpays some £2.4 billion less annually than it is scheduled to in business rates.
Moreover, MPs backed the Hospitality Sector Council's call for a temporary cut in hospitality and tourism VAT to unlock investment. Indeed, the right tax framework for the sector could rapidly generate economic growth - at up to 6% annually over the next five years.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"From driving our rural economies forward and employing local folk to acting as safe, warm and welcoming hubs at the heart of our communities; it is clear just how valuable hospitality and tourism businesses are to our way of life and it is only right we let them thrive.
"Thank you to my Conservative colleague and friend Simon Jupp MP for his leadership on this important issue for MPs across the country endeavouring to support this vital sector."
