Petition · past parliament · HM Treasury
Reduce VAT for small businesses in the hospitality sector to 5%
Closed
111 signatures
What the petition asks
The COVID19 pandemic is affecting the food service sector. There will be losses of jobs and income and ultimately small businesses will close.
For businesses to endure the crisis a reduction in the VAT will allow the redistribution of business revenue into staff wages, rent, and lower sale prices
For businesses to endure the crisis a reduction in the VAT will allow the redistribution of business revenue into staff wages, rent, and lower sale prices
In 2015 the British Hospitality Association reported that the UK hospitality industry paid £41 billion in tax with approximately half being VAT.
That same year the industry employed 2.9 million people, with 1.5 million working in restaurants. It is impossible to know how many will lose jobs in the short term.
Eventually the industry will need to recover and return to 'normal'. The lower tax rate will benefit not just the small business owners but the staff they employ and the consumer.
That same year the industry employed 2.9 million people, with 1.5 million working in restaurants. It is impossible to know how many will lose jobs in the short term.
Eventually the industry will need to recover and return to 'normal'. The lower tax rate will benefit not just the small business owners but the staff they employ and the consumer.
Timeline
| 25 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 25 Sep 2020 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
111
Status
Closed
Department
HM Treasury
Opened
25 Mar 2020
Closed
25 Sep 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.