STIRLING’S MSP Bruce Crawford has shown his support for a local pub’s VAT reduction campaign.

The Crossed Peels, a JD Wetherspoon pub based in Stirling city centre, held a ‘VAT Equality Day’ on Wednesday (20th September) where prices of food and soft drinks were reduced to demonstrate how a VAT reduction in the hospitality industry would benefit consumers.

Mr Crawford recently wrote to the Chancellor, calling for a review on the current rate of VAT within tourism-related businesses.

Commenting, he said: “VAT Equality Day is a great idea that highlights how consumers are affected by the current tax rate – which is one of the highest sales taxes of its kind anywhere in Europe.

“The Stirling area benefits from a vibrant tourism sector and support for these key industries must be given in order to promote local growth and job creation.

“Bringing down the price of eating out will encourage more people to support our local pubs, restaurants and cafes – creating further scope for expansion and investment.

“The Cut Tourism VAT campaign estimates that reducing the current rate to 5 percent would create more than 120,000 jobs across the UK and the growth of business would contribute an additional £4.6 billion to the Treasury that would support our public services.

“The SNP Scottish Government is doing what it can to support this sector and is extending the cap on any rates increase for hospitality businesses for another year. The Tory UK Government must also consider what it can do and commit to dropping the rate of VAT in hospitality ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget in November.”