Emma Lewell MP: People need more cash in their pockets at the end of the working week
Summer is here and South Shields was packed all through the Bank Holiday weekend and half-term week with people enjoying our gorgeous coastline and excellent hospitality. As your MP, I have been working with the Government to help with the cost of living and to support our hospitality industry.
We are taking action on energy bills and have frozen rail fares and prescription charges. We have increased the National Minimum Wage and State Pension. There has been a business rate relief for pubs.
But I know more is needed. People need more money in their pockets at the end of the working week, and hospitality desperately needs a VAT cut.
That is why, last month, I was pleased when the Government announced a much-needed boost for families over the summer holidays.
This year, from June 25 to September 1, VAT will be cut to 5% for children’s meals in cafés, restaurants, pubs, bars and hotels.
This cut will also apply to children and families visiting cinemas, theatres, concerts, amusement parks, wildlife parks, nature reserves, museums, soft play centres and many other attractions. On top of this, there will be free bus travel throughout August for children aged five to 15. For families using their car to get around this summer, the 5p cut on fuel duty will be extended, to the end of the year.
I know that for many families the food shop has become too expensive. Far too many people are working and still struggling to afford the basics each week.
To help, the Government is suspending tariffs on over 100 different foods sold in supermarkets.
This means the weekly shop will be cheaper, overall, and the benefit to shoppers is expected to be more than £150 million a year.
With the weekly shop cost being lowered, families might be able to take advantage of our savings on bus travel, meals, and activities to enjoy a day out.
If they do, I hope they come to visit South Shields.
We always look forward to welcoming tourists and day trippers to our gorgeous beaches, to enjoy the attractions we have to offer and to sample our excellent hospitality.