Government
The latest news and updates on government policy, from the business journalists at Catering Today. We bring you the latest on what’s happening in the restaurants, bars and catering industry, with exclusive stories, analysis, best practice and industry comment.
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Apr- 2022 -20 April
Gov to award CMA new power to ban fake reviews
The government is consulting a new law that will make it illegal to pay someone to write or host a fake review. It revealed this is so people are not “cheated” by bogus ratings. Fake reviews will be tackled by consulting on a new law against: Commissioning someone to write…
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14 April
Scotland to lift face covering laws on 18 April
Final confirmation face coverings are no longer a legal requirement to wear in most indoor public spaces and on public transport from Monday 18 April in Scotland. The Scottish Government has confirmed that the wearing of face coverings will become “only guidance” next week. In response the SLTA issued the…
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1 April
VAT rise to result in double-digit price increases, UKH warns
VAT in hospitality will rise from 12.5% to 20% on 1 April 2022, which UKH said “will result in double-digit price increases for consumers as operators struggle to survive” as the sector is forecasting cost inflation running at 18%. Recent business surveys show the industry is facing a 95% hike…
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Mar- 2022 -24 March
Return to 20% VAT a ‘massive missed opportunity’, UKH says
A return to 20% VAT for the hospitality and tourism industry will be met with disappointment by thousands of hospitality businesses, UKHospitality has said. In addition, UKH has said that ending the 12.5% rate for hospitality would “jeopardise jobs and restrict the sector’s efforts to stifle price rises for consumers,…
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23 March
Spring Statement: Chancellor raises NI threshold to £12,570
The chancellor has outlined a series of measures to help combat the rising cost of living in his latest spring statement, including increasing the national insurance threshold by £3,000. Speaking in parliament today (23 March), Rishi Sunak began his speech by warning it is yet unclear what the impact of…
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17 March
Parliamentary inquiry recommends VAT remains at 12.5%
An inquiry by a group of MPs has recommended that VAT for the hospitality and tourism sectors stays at 12.5% beyond March. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hospitality and Tourism, concluded that VAT should not return to 20% this April, citing UKHospitality data revealing that the lower rate…
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Feb- 2022 -24 February
Gov must help hospitality move away from single-use plastics, says UKH
UKHospitality has said it has called on the Government to support hospitality businesses as they move away from single-use plastics, ahead of a proposed ban next year. The trade body said it is backing a planned April 2023 ban on single-use plastics, but wants to see government support as the…
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8 February
Over 250 hospitality leaders call for VAT to be held at 12.5%
More than 250 business leaders from hospitality and leisure have written to the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, urging the Government to keep VAT at 12.5% beyond March 2022, according to UKHospitality. It revealed the letter calls on the Treasury to maintain the current level to enable many “fragile” businesses to continue…
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Jan- 2022 -24 January
VOA ‘aggressively pursuing’ fines for hospitality, warns Colliers
The government’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has reportedly accelerated its demands to hotel and pub businesses by issuing and “aggressively pursuing” an increasing number of fines for late Valuation Forms of Return, Colliers Business Rates Team has warned. It said the increased fines are being sought despite the fact that…
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19 January
Restrictions in Scotland to be lifted from 24 January
First minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that additional measures aimed at stemming the spread of the Omicron variant whilst the vaccination booster programme took effect are to be lifted in Scotland. From 05:00 Monday 24 January, restrictions including one metre physical distancing in hospitality and leisure settings and table service…
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