South Shields MP calls for hospitality sector VAT cut to help ease youth unemployment
The Member of Parliament for South Shields has called for a VAT cut in the hospitality sector.
Calls to cut VAT within the hospitality sector to help ease youth unemployment have been raised by the South Shields MP in the House of Commons.
Speaking on Tuesday, June 2, Emma Lewell stated that youth unemployment in South Shields was higher than the national average.
The MP said that the hospitality sector in the town typically employs younger people but due to rising taxes and fears of the impact of a tourist tax, many businesses are struggling to just to stay open.
As a result of this, Ms Lewell highlighted that many are not in a position to employ people and called for a VAT cut within the hospitality sector to help ease the pressure.
The South Shields MP said: “Youth unemployment in South Shields continues to be higher than the national average.
“Hospitality is the absolute lifeblood of my small tourist town and typically employs our younger constituents.
“The local industry are telling me very clearly that a perfect storm of taxes and now the impending tourist tax is directly impacting on their ability to stay afloat, let alone employ staff.
“Please will my honourable friend look and speak to his colleagues about a VAT cut for the sector?”
Andrew Western MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has stated he will write to Ms Lewell to respond to the issue due to a lack of Parliamentary time.
He stated: “I will follow up with my honourable friendly directly in the interest of time and write to her on that issue Mr Speaker.”