I find it offensive that Visit Britain officials should allow Hugh Bayley publicity in British Tourism Week (MP’s warm welcome, The Press, March 16). I demand these faceless bureaucrats defend this unwarranted action.

May I explain? I run a holiday cottage business and pay membership fees to Visit Britain. Rewards are small and it is damned hard work, and it is going to get a lot harder. Mr Bayley and his Government have just introduced punitive taxes on holiday cottages. This will be extremely damaging to tourism – North Yorkshire’s in particular.

Welcome To Yorkshire and its “partners” state that tourism plays a major role in York’s economy. So where were they when these taxes were formulated?

Try as I might, I could not get their help in campaigning against it. It is diabolical. These faceless people make me so angry, but it is too late now as the damage is done.

As the UKIP prospective Parliamentary candidate for York Central, it is my fervent hope that these cushy jobs will in future be occupied by caring, approachable, experienced, knowledgeable people.

Some other serious issues are that we are currently campaigning against horrendous business rates increases. There is an open invitation to all York businesses to an important meeting tonight, starting at 7pm for 7.30pm, at Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate.

Our aim is to prevent even more businesses going bankrupt by amending the VOA formula. Please do not be lulled into a false sense of security, as increases are on the way. If “we” all stick together there is a chance of concessions.

We are lucky enough to have the Ven Richard Seed as chair. If you want your local shop to survive I beg of you let them know about this meeting. It is not too late. Remember this – “the only time they care is election time”.

Paul Abbott, Goodwood Grove, York.