Reduce VAT to 10% for hospitality food & drink businesses

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

We want the Government to reduce the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) charged to hospitality businesses—including pubs, cafes and restaurants, from 20% to 10%.This is not a handout it is a correction to a tax rate that puts British hospitality at disadvantage and threatens the heart of our communities.

The UK hospitality industry is overburdened by 20% VAT, the highest among major European economies. Independent business owners operate on wafer-thin profit margins (2-5%) and are struggling to survive soaring costs. Unlike larger chains, independents cannot absorb these taxes. A VAT cut to 10% would allow businesses to freeze menu prices, invest in staff wages, and prevent high street closures.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign the following petition, which calls for similar action:

Cut VAT for local hospitality – for Pubs, Cafes & Restaurants
Cut VAT for local hospitality – for Pubs, Cafes & Restaurants

Timeline

5 Mar 2026	Petition opened for signatures
24 Mar 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 24 Mar 2026

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