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Hospitality VAT cut: can it help the sector and at what cost to UK taxpayer?
UK NewsPoliticsBusiness•June 30, 2026 at 2:24 PMNational

Hospitality VAT cut: can it help the sector and at what cost to UK taxpayer?

By Charlotte Smith and Rob Davies•The Guardian - UK News

Drop to 10% for pubs and eateries would be in line with most of Europe, but critics say it favours multinationalsBusiness live – latest updatesNearly a quarter of hospitality businesses are losing money, new data has shown, reigniting calls among chefs, pub owners and restaurateurs for their sector to be handed a reduced rate of VAT.It may seem like a no-brainer because the measure would ease pressure on the ailing sector and put the UK in line with most European countries. But critics say the measure would be extremely costly and reward big multinational businesses, without necessarily helping to spur growth. Continue reading...

Drop to 10% for pubs and eateries would be in line with most of Europe, but critics say it favours multinationals

Nearly a quarter of hospitality businesses are losing money, new data has shown, reigniting calls among chefs, pub owners and restaurateurs for their sector to be handed a reduced rate of VAT.

It may seem like a no-brainer because the measure would ease pressure on the ailing sector and put the UK in line with most European countries. But critics say the measure would be extremely costly and reward big multinational businesses, without necessarily helping to spur growth.

Continue reading...