In a candid plea to the government, prominent UK chefs and restaurateurs are calling for a significant reduction in value-added tax (VAT) for the hospitality industry, suggesting a decrease to 10% to alleviate the mounting pressures faced by businesses. This appeal comes as the sector grapples with unprecedented challenges, including rising operational costs and dwindling customer spending amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
A Call for Action from Culinary Leaders
The chefs making this urgent appeal—Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill, and Simon Rogan—joined forces on BBC Newsnight to highlight the dire state of the hospitality industry. They underscored that the current environment is the most difficult they have ever experienced. Simon Rogan, who operates a successful restaurant group, expressed the frustration of many in the sector, asserting, “We’re not making any money whatsoever, and we’re just keeping our heads above water.”
Tom Kerridge explicitly critiqued government taxation policies, stating that the current approach to taxation is fundamentally flawed. He emphasised that the hospitality
