Top UK chefs call for 10% VAT cut for pubs and restaurants
Four prominent UK chefs and restaurateurs have called on the government to slash VAT for the hospitality sector, warning that businesses are failing at a rate of three per day [1][2].
Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill, and Simon Rogan argue the current 20% standard VAT rate—the second highest in Europe [1][2]—is crippling pubs and restaurants. They are urging a reduction to 10% to align with rates in countries like France, Italy, and Spain. The chefs detailed the intense pressure from rising costs and reduced consumer spending, with Rogan stating they are "not making any money whatsoever" [1]. The industry body UK Hospitality reports that three hospitality businesses have collapsed daily since the start of 2026 [1][2]. The sector is a major employer of young people, providing jobs for 28% of all 18 to 20-year-olds in the UK [1][2]. In response to the lobbying, Cabinet minister Pat McFadden acknowledged the government frequently hears such demands but must balance them against other spending pressures [1].
Context we found (3)
-
en.wikipedia.org —
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_in_the_United_Kingdom ↗
Events from the year 2024 in the United Kingdom. This year is noted for a landslide general election victory for the Labour Party under Keir Starmer.…
-
en.wikipedia.org —
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_chips ↗
Potato chips (North American and Australian English; often just chips) or crisps (British and Irish English) are thin slices of potato (or a thin deposit of potato paste) that have been deep-fried, baked, or air-fried until crunchy. They are commonly served as a snack, appetizer …
-
en.wikipedia.org —
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Father_Brown_episodes ↗
Father Brown is a British television detective period drama that has been broadcast on BBC One since 14 January 2013. It stars Mark Williams as the eponymous crime-solving Roman Catholic priest. The series is loosely based on short stories by G. K. Chesterton. As of 9 January 202…
Sources cited (2)
- bbc.com B · newspaper — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78kg45yx0vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss ↗
- bbc.com B · newspaper — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78kg45yx0vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss ↗