PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Reduce VAT to 10% for hospitality food & drink businesses
We want the Government to reduce the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) charged to hospitality businesses—including pubs, cafes and restaurants, from 20% to 10%.This is not a handout it is a correction to a tax rate that puts British hospitality at disadvantage and threatens the heart of our communities.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
21
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 21/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 21/100,000
Background
The UK hospitality industry is overburdened by 20% VAT, the highest among major European economies. Independent business owners operate on wafer-thin profit margins (2-5%) and are struggling to survive soaring costs. Unlike larger chains, independents cannot absorb these taxes. A VAT cut to 10% would allow businesses to freeze menu prices, invest in staff wages, and prevent high street closures.