VAT campaign nears 200,000 signatures

More than 180,000 people have signed the #VATsTheProblem petition, the campaign launched by chef Tom Kerridge that is calling for 10% hospitality VAT.

Trade body UKHospitality says the scale of support for the campaign in under 72 hours is a clear demonstration of the strength of feeling across hospitality for a lower rate of VAT.

The campaign, spearheaded by Kerridge and supported by UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association and the British Institute of Innkeeping, will officially launch to consumers on 1 July.

"What a start to the campaign, but it is just the start," says Kerridge. "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 the 1 July, and show just how much hospitality needs a VAT cut to 10%."

What now?

Kerridge is urging the sector to keep up the momentum by sharing the campaign with hospitality teams and other venues, as well as preparing to talk to their customers on 1 July about garnering their support.

What can hospitality businesses do?

• Visit VATsTheProblem.co.uk and sign the petition
• Share the petition with all of your venues and their teams, asking them to sign ahead of 1 July
• Put the link to the website and the QR code on your emails, socials and website
• Use our campaign toolkit to spread the word across hospitality.

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