PETITIONClosedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Ban businesses adding service charges to bills without prior customer consent
I want the Government to ban restaurants and hotels from automatically adding service charges to bills without prior customer consent. I feel many businesses take advantage of diners by imposing these charges without making it clear that they are optional.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
516
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 516/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 516/100,000
Background
Instead of adding the charge automatically, I think businesses should be required to present it clearly on the payment machine, giving customers the choice to accept or decline.
To ensure compliance, I think the Government should introduce strict measures, including fines for businesses that violate this rule. I think there should also be a simple and accessible way for customers to report violations. I think these measures would promote fairness and transparency, holding businesses accountable while protecting consumers from unfair practices.