Celebrity and Michelin chef Tom Kerridge joins VAT initiative with #VATsTheProblem petition

Tom Kerridge, the chef behind Michelin starred restaurants like the Hand and Flowers and star of Great British Menu and Saturday Kitchen has orchestrated the #VATsTheProblem campaign.

Kerridge is calling for an urgent cut in VAT to 10% for hospitality, saying: ‘We all know in hospitality that a lower rate of VAT down to 10% in line with the rest of Europe is the way to stimulate growth and make our sector strong and secure for the future.

‘There are over three restaurants, pubs, bars, coffee shops shutting every single day, 21 a week. I mean this needs to stop. What we need is hospitality to grow and to do that means lowering the rate of VAT down to 10%.

‘In the UK, you pay one of the highest VAT rates in Europe, 20% extra in VAT for your meal out or stay away. In France, Spain, and Italy, it’s 10%. In Germany 7%.’

Kerridge isn’t the only chef backing the campaign, Paul Askew, owner of The Barnacle in Liverpool, and another series regular on the Great British Menu, is also on board.

‘The reduction in VAT from 20% to 10% is absolutely crucial now,’ said Askew on Facebook. ‘All the things that have happened since covid, whether that’s inflation, or the increase in NICs, all of these things have shrunk the industry.’

Backed by UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association, and chefs, is calling for a permanent reduced 10% rate of VAT for pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels bars, nightclubs and festivals.

The #VATsTheProblem petition wants one million signatures, and since launching on 1 June has over 184,000 names signed up.

‘Our message to government is simple. Let’s stand together to say VAT at 10% is fair for hospitality.’

The issue was raised at PMQs in parliament last week, with Rosie Duffield MP for Canterbury and Whitstable, asking ‘does the prime minister agree that VAT is the problem?’

Keir Starmer responded: ‘I recognise the challenges that she identifies, that is why we are permanently lowering business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses… In relation to VAT, she will see that we are supporting by cutting VAT on children’s meals in restaurants.’

The initiative will be promoted with posters, beer mats and till receipts decorated with the slogan from 1 July.

This article was originally published on Business & Accountancy Daily. Written by Jacob Grattage, Reporter.