Surrey Lib Dem MPs call for Government to protect the high street
Ahead of the budget this week, the MPs for Woking and Guildford are calling for VAT cuts for the hospitality and entertainment sectors
Local Liberal Democrats have called for the Chancellor to protect the high street this upcoming budget
Specifically they are asking for 5% cut to VAT for the hospitality and entertainment sector, which they say will be able to give businesses a much-needed break.
Woking MP Will Forster says people are in desperate need for a positive budget
"People need a break and that's what think they're looking for for the budget. I hope the Chancellor follows what the Lib Dems have called for which is an emergency support for our hospitality sector
I think a five percent cut in VAT that will last for quite a while between now and April 2027 can put money back in the pockets of my residents in Woking that they can spend on the high street. We can support the whole hospitality sector that really struggled over the last few years."
Guildford MP Zoe Franklin says that this budget can be seen as a 'make-or-break' moment.
"I think it's probably make or break. Last year they introduced the jobs tax, that's had a huge impact on businesses and on people and their jobs
It's their opportunity to scrap it, it's their opportunity to turn things around and people are just waiting."
Franklin added that in order to help the high street, people need to be able to have money to spend in the first place
"Energy bills are crippling people. And so we're proposing changes to do with the renewable energy levy that would mean about £270 per family back in their pockets and that then can be spare cash for you to go and enjoy a night out in your local High Street"
Will Forster also told us about what local businesses in his area were thinking ahead of the budget
"Last night in Westminster I hosted a dinner with Woking Chamber of Commerce with about 100 people in attendance so that was an amazing cross section of Woking's business community.
They're really optimistic about the future of our town but they're worried about government decisions either getting in the way or making it worse.
So there's a range of businesses, whether it be the largest employer in the town like McLaren, Asahi or amazing small businesses they want a break
They want the budget to actually deliver for them and that's why a 5 % cut in VAT would do the trick."