Vikki Slade MP - “The Chancellor could give us all a happier Christmas by cutting VAT”

Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole, has warned that the “beating heart” of local high streets risks being “ripped away” ahead of tomorrow’s Budget, after devastating polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has shown there is widespread concern that hospitality businesses will close.

Polling for the Liberal Democrats shows that across the South West:
• 55% are worried about losing their local pub
• 40% fear bars and nightclubs could close
• 71% are concerned about cafés and restaurants

Vikki said many local businesses were struggling with rising costs, falling footfall, and the impact of last year’s National Insurance tax hike.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a 17-month 5% VAT reduction.

Vikki Slade said:

“Hospitality is the beating heart of our high streets, but it’s at serious risk of being ripped away from us. Residents are right to be worried."

“I speak to a lot of businesses, and the one thing they all tell me is that slashing VAT would make the biggest difference. It’s good for business, good for customers and good for the public mood. The Chancellor could give us all a happier Christmas by cutting VAT and boosting the high street."

“With people having less money to spend, many independent businesses simply cannot sustain themselves. The Chancellor cannot deliver yet another Budget that drives our high streets further into decline.”

Vikki, who previously ran her own hospitality business and worked in a pub, has long championed the sector. She raised this issue directly with Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper at the party’s conference in September, has repeatedly spoken about it in Parliament, and recently launched her own ‘Pub of the Year’ competition to celebrate the area’s fantastic local pubs and highlight the challenges they face.