Special delivery for Cameron from tax protester, seven

Sophie Clucas, a server at Wakefield Cathedral, was inspired to write a letter to David Cameron after she learned about plans to start charging VAT on alterations to listed buildings.

The tax will have a huge impact on Wakefield Cathedral, where work is just getting under way on a major restoration programme.

The new 20 per cent tax rate means the cathedral now faces the prospect of having to raise another £200,000. More than 10,000 people have signed its petition against the changes.

Sophie, her mother Clair and her grandmother Joy all travelled to Downing Street yesterday to hand over her letter of protest.

“I’m really proud of her,” her mother said. “It’s obviously something that’s very important for Sophie – she just wants the cathedral to be right, because it’s in a mess. So she decided she’d write to the Prime Minister.”

Sophie, a pupil at Horbury St Peter’s and Clifton School, said she was “really proud” when told she could deliver the letter to Downing Street in person.

“I just wanted the cathedral to get more money, so I just decided to do it. I felt like – ‘that’s it, I’m doing it!’”

The Government’s proposal is one of a number of controversial changes to the VAT system unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne in his Budget.

Other moves to close VAT “loopholes” which have attracted negative headlines include the so-called Caravan Tax, Pasty Tax and Charity Tax.

The controversy forced Ministers to extend their consultation into the changes, which now ends on Friday.

Shadow Culture Minister Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central, said: “We’re really concerned about the impact the Heritage Tax will have on a number of buildings across Yorkshire.

“Wakefield Cathedral is a very good example and it’s wonderful to see that people are so concerned about it, and will do what they can to oppose it.

“We have seen U-turns in a number of policy areas and we need to keep pushing and putting pressure on.”

Wakefield MP Mary Creagh added: “We are standing up for Wakefield against the Government’s short-sightedness.

“Over 10,500 people have backed the cathedral’s petition and I hope David Cameron will take notice and change course so the vital renovation work can continue.”