VAT
We report on VAT policy and its implications for the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, including rate changes, government decisions, lobbying campaigns, and compliance challenges. From reduced VAT measures during the pandemic to the sector’s push for permanent reform, this brings together essential updates that affect margins, pricing, and profitability. Whether you’re a small independent or a multi-site operator, understanding VAT is critical to managing costs and planning for sustainable growth. Our coverage is written to support chefs, operators, F&B leaders, and finance teams navigating a complex and evolving tax landscape.
-
Nov- 2025 -11 NovemberRestaurants
Hospitality job losses deepen ahead of Budget
Employment in the UK hospitality sector has fallen for 13 consecutive months, with new ONS data revealing the industry continues to bear the brunt of a wider jobs downturn. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 170,000 fewer people are on payroll compared with the period before last year’s…
Read More » -
10 NovemberRestaurants
345 hospitality businesses urge tax cuts ahead of Budget
More than 340 leading hospitality businesses have signed an open letter to the chancellor calling for urgent action in the upcoming Budget to support the sector. The letter, coordinated by trade body UKHospitality, is backed by companies including Butlin’s, Greene King, IHG Hotels and Resorts, KFC, Merlin Entertainments, Marston’s, Wagamama,…
Read More » -
7 NovemberPubs and Bars
Wetherspoon reports 3.7% rise in Q1 sales amid cautious outlook
JD Wetherspoon has reported a 3.7% increase in like-for-like sales for the 14-week period ended 2 November, as total sales rose 4.2% compared with the same period last year. It comes as bar sales during the first quarter grew by 5.7%, food sales rose by 0.9%, and slot and fruit…
Read More » -
5 NovemberPeople
UKHospitality welcomes Keep Britain Working review
UKHospitality has expressed support for the Keep Britain Working review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, which sets out a new employer-first approach to workplace health and tackling rising economic inactivity linked to ill-health. The review aims to help businesses create healthier and more resilient workplaces while supporting people to stay…
Read More » -
Oct- 2025 -8 OctoberBusiness
Gov launches review of licensing rules to modernise system
The Government has opened a call for evidence on proposed reforms to England’s licensing system, following recommendations from the Licensing Taskforce. Trade body UKHospitality, which sat on the taskforce, said the changes could help modernise the system and support growth but cautioned that further action is needed to tackle rising…
Read More » -
7 OctoberGovernment
UKH welcomes Tories’ pledge to scrap business rates
UKHospitality has welcomed the shadow chancellor’s claim that the party wants to “abolish” business rates. Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference this week, Mel Stride said that businesses need “hope” and claimed that 89,000 jobs have been lost in the hospitality sector alone. He said: “We need to get business…
Read More » -
Sep- 2025 -22 SeptemberTrade Associations
UKHospitality urges staff to join #TaxedOut campaign ahead of Budget
UKHospitality has launched an online tool to enable hospitality staff to contact their MPs as part of its #TaxedOut campaign, which calls for government action on the sector’s tax burden. The tool provides a template letter that employees can adapt and send to MPs. Similar resources have already been made…
Read More » -
22 SeptemberFeatures
What effect will Labour’s proposed business rates reform have ahead of the budget?
After years of pressure from hospitality businesses and the trade organisations that represent them, the government has finally relented. Last week it revealed its proposed changes to the business rates system in England and Wales. Despite this positive news, it remains to be seen how this reform fits in with…
Read More » -
17 SeptemberTrade Associations
NTIA calls for tax cuts to protect clubs and bars at upcoming budget
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has called on the government to cut taxes in the Autumn Budget (26 November), warning that rising costs are pushing clubs, pubs and bars to the brink of collapse. The trade body said Britain’s nightlife is “under real threat”, with nearly 800 venues closing…
Read More » -
16 SeptemberRestaurants
Hospitality job losses to hit 111,000 by next budget, UKH finds
UKHospitality (UKH) has projected that 111,000 jobs will have been lost in hospitality by the upcoming budget, which is set to be announced on 26 November. Based on the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the group said this is “illustrative of the impact these costs have…
Read More »
