Chef Tom Kerridge is spearheading a new hospitality campaign asking the government to cut hospitality VAT to 10%, in line with Europe.
The campaign, #VATsTheProblem, is urging the entire sector to back its call by signing a new petition, with the aim to get one million signatures.
The campaign will officially launch to consumers on 1 July and is already supported by major hospitality groups, including UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, and Code Hospitality.
It comes as the UK pays the second highest VAT in Europe, according to UKHospitality. Europe’s average VAT bill is 12.9%, while the UK’s is 20%.
The trade association argued that lowering the rate of VAT was the “single most important thing the government could do to support hospitality”.
It added that a lower rate would allow hospitality businesses to keep prices “more affordable for the public” and would give businesses more confidence to invest and grow.
In an open letter to the entire sector, Kerridge said: “Our sector is under huge pressure. We know it. We live and breathe it every day.
“We know that the key to unleashing hospitality’s potential to grow and thrive into the future comes through a VAT cut. We’re making sure government knows that too, and we need your help.
“Now is the time for hospitality to galvanise behind this campaign. Be part of a movement that aims to get hospitality recognised and taxed in a much fairer way. I know that the government is listening, but we do need to push hard.
“Let’s all get behind the campaign, make our voices heard and bang the drum for hospitality,” he added.
No comments yet