CHARLOTTE CANE MP RENEWS CALLS FOR VAT CUT FOR HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE ATTRACTIONS

Charlotte Cane, Liberal Democrat MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, has renewed her call for VAT on hospitality, accommodation and leisure attractions to be cut from 20% to 15% during a visit to Clip ‘n Climb Cambridge.

Charlotte and the Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for the cut since November 2025, arguing that reducing VAT would ease pressure on businesses, support local high streets and help keep hospitality and days out affordable for families.

Her visit came as the family-run independent business celebrates its 10th anniversary in Cambridge. Owner Chris Walthew has separately been campaigning on VAT through the VATs The Problem campaign, alongside other hospitality and leisure attraction businesses.

During the visit, Charlotte heard about the pressures facing Clip ‘n Climb and discussed the impact of the current 20% VAT rate on businesses in the sector.

Charlotte Cane MP said:

“Hospitality and leisure businesses are at the heart of our communities. Our pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels and family attractions provide jobs, bring people together and make a major contribution to our local economy.

“I have been campaigning with my Liberal Democrat colleagues since November for VAT on hospitality, accommodation and attractions to be cut from 20% to 15%. That would provide meaningful support to businesses facing rising costs and give them more room to invest, grow and keep prices affordable for customers.

“I’m also concerned that the Government’s increase to Employer National Insurance Contributions disproportionately impacts hospitality, raising costs for part-time staff and hitting SMEs hardest. That’s why we Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Government to exempt hospitality SMEs from the Employer NIC increase.

“It was fantastic to visit Clip ‘n Climb Cambridge as it celebrates ten years in the city, meet Chris and hear directly about the challenges facing independent leisure businesses.

“Businesses across the hospitality and leisure sectors have been making clear the pressure the current VAT rate places on them. The Government should listen and act by cutting the rate for these important sectors.”

Chris Walthew, owner of Clip ‘n Climb Cambridge, said:

“Having fun shouldn’t be an unaffordable luxury, and I’m pleased that Charlotte and I agree that lowering VAT for our sector is a sensible, sustainable and simple way of ensuring the public can continue to access facilities like Clip ‘n Climb Cambridge.

“Over the last few years, there have been more and more pressures put on local businesses through taxes, as well as increases in National Insurance and business rates. Coming out of Covid, many businesses have struggled to recover and are existing on a knife edge.

“Leisure and hospitality businesses bring so much to the communities they are in – through jobs for young people, as well as bringing families together and giving back to their community.

“It was fantastic to talk with Charlotte about how lowering VAT would give businesses like mine a real lifeline going forward.”

During her visit, Charlotte also attended a climbing session specifically for climbers with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). She was joined by local charity Spectrum, which has worked with Clip ‘n Climb Cambridge for several years to provide climbing sessions for children with SEND in a supportive and nurturing environment.

The visit highlighted not only the economic pressures facing leisure businesses, but also the important role they play in supporting families, young people and the wider community.

#VATsTheProblem