Over 100,000 people back Tom Kerridge’s 10% hospitality VAT campaign

More than 100,000 people have signed a petition calling on the government to cut value added tax on hospitality businesses from 20% to 10%.

The campaign, named #VATsTheProblem, is spearheaded by chef Tom Kerridge and backed by trade bodies including UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, and CODE Hospitality.

Organisers are seeking initial support from hospitality operators and employees to build momentum ahead of an official consumer launch on 1 July. 

Campaigners argue that the tax reduction is essential to ease cost pressures from rising wages, energy, and food prices.

Kerridge said: “What a start to the campaign, but it is just the start. More than 100,000 people backing 10% VAT for hospitality in just three days shows the strength of feeling across hospitality, and that number will only continue to grow.

“Hospitality businesses, please keep sharing the campaign with your teams and other venues in your area to get them to support too. Let’s get this number as high as possible before 1 July, and show just how much hospitality needs a VAT cut to 10%.”

Kerridge added: “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 the government knows that too, and we need your help.

“This is a nationwide campaign with ambassadors big and small spreading the word to everyone that will listen, all asking for the same thing; a cut to hospitality’s VAT to 10%. Let’s all get behind the campaign, make our voices heard and bang the drum for hospitality.”