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.

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

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 3 Aug 2026.