Petition · Department for Business and Trade
Ban businesses adding service charges to bills without prior customer consent
Closed
516 signatures
What the petition asks
I want the Government to ban restaurants and hotels from automatically adding service charges to bills without prior customer consent. I feel many businesses take advantage of diners by imposing these charges without making it clear that they are optional.
Instead of adding the charge automatically, I think businesses should be required to present it clearly on the payment machine, giving customers the choice to accept or decline.
To ensure compliance, I think the Government should introduce strict measures, including fines for businesses that violate this rule. I think there should also be a simple and accessible way for customers to report violations. I think these measures would promote fairness and transparency, holding businesses accountable while protecting consumers from unfair practices.
To ensure compliance, I think the Government should introduce strict measures, including fines for businesses that violate this rule. I think there should also be a simple and accessible way for customers to report violations. I think these measures would promote fairness and transparency, holding businesses accountable while protecting consumers from unfair practices.
Timeline
| 20 Feb 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 Aug 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
516
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Business and Trade
Opened
20 Feb 2025
Closed
20 Aug 2025
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 3 Aug 2026.