{
  "id": 7195473,
  "title": "Burnham told to deliver 10 per cent hospitality VAT after backing tax cut",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/burnham-told-to-deliver-10-per-cent-hospitality-vat-after-backing-tax",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-13T23:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/burnham-told-to-deliver-10-per-cent-hospitality-vat-after-backing-tax-cut/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over 800 hospitality businesses have urged Andy Burnham to follow through on his support for lower VAT, adding pressure on the prime minister before the upcoming Budget. Prominent pub owners, restaurant chains, hotels, and renowned chefs have signed an open letter requesting the government to reduce hospitality VAT from 20% to 10%. Notable signatories include JD Wetherspoon, Greene King, Fuller’s, Pizza Express, Wagamama, Marriott, Center Parcs, and chefs Tom Kerridge, Heston Blumenthal, Angela Hartnett, and Jason Atherton. Burnham previously stated in February that he would \"argue for a VAT rate more consistent with what you find in Europe.\"\n\nKerridge commented, \"We don't need another promise. We need action.\" The campaign unfolds at a challenging time for the government, as Burnham acknowledged last week that the \"cost of doing business is too high,\" while also warning that limited public finances restrict his ability to act. Furthermore, ministers recently announced plans to permit regional authorities to impose an uncapped levy on overnight stays, sparking renewed criticism from hotels and tourism businesses.\n\nThe hospitality sector currently faces a 20% VAT rate, compared to 10% in France, Italy, and Spain, and 7% in Germany. More than 370,000 people have now signed the #VATsTheProblem petition, demanding the UK rate be cut to 10%. The businesses wrote, \"It's time for a fairer tax burden for hospitality.\" They argue that without action, closures will accelerate, jobs will continue to be lost, and opportunities for young people will decrease. Kerridge emphasized that the tax disproportionately affects hospitality, as labor represents a significant portion of costs. \"You can reclaim VAT on a product, but you can't reclaim VAT on a person,\" he stated.\n\nSeveral businesses, such as Greene King, Hilton, and Wahaca, have already endorsed the campaign. Fuller’s chief executive Simon Emeny previously told City AM that cutting VAT to 10% is \"critical\" to reviving the industry. Burnham has already taken steps to assist the sector by announcing a 20% business rates cut for pubs, clubs, and live music venues during his first week in office. He suggested last week that the government might consider broader tax reductions for high street firms at the 28 October Budget. However, the prime minister declined to promise further tax cuts, stating that he faces a \"difficult financial outlook.\" Hospitality bosses now want Burnham to include the VAT pledge he made before entering Downing Street in that Budget package. The open letter asserts that a lower VAT rate for hospitality could transform closures into openings, lost jobs into new jobs, and boarded-up high streets into thriving community centers.",
  "summary": "More than 800 hospitality businesses have called on Andy Burnham to make good on his support for lower VAT, piling pressure on the prime minister ahead of next month’s Budget. Pub giants, restaurant chains, hotels and some of Britain’s best-known chefs have signed an open letter demanding the government cut hospitality VAT from 20 per [...]",
  "key_points": [
    "Over 800 hospitality businesses sign open letter for 10% VAT reduction",
    "Andy Burnham previously advocated for fairer tax burden on hospitality",
    "Lower VAT could transform closures into openings and revive industry"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}