Hospitality industry urges Andy Burnham to lay out VAT cut plans

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Soon after taking office, Andy Burnham announced a 20% cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues. Photograph: Richard Pohle/The Times/PA View image in fullscreen Soon after taking office, Andy Burnham announced a 20% cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues. Photograph: Richard Pohle/The Times/PA Hospitality industry Hospitality industry urges Andy Burnham to lay out VAT cut plans More than 800 businesses ask PM to make good on pledge, or risk more closures and job losses

Prefer the Guardian on Google Hundreds of UK hospitality businesses, backed by celebrity chefs including Angela Hartnett and Heston Blumenthal, have asked Andy Burnham to lay out plans to lower VAT for the sector, urging him to make good on his previous pledge.

More than 800 businesses have written an open letter to the prime minister as part of the #VATsTheProblem campaign, to warn that without a “fairer tax burden for hospitality”, there will be more closures and job losses, and fewer opportunities for young people.

The signatories include pubs, bars and brewers such as Fuller’s, Greene King, Mitchell’s & Butlers and Wetherspoons, along with restaurant groups including Franco Manca, Pizza Express and Wagamama, hotel chains such as Best Western Hotels and Marriott international, along with the leisure groups Center Parcs and Parkdean Resorts. However, most of the signatories are small and medium-sized businesses, including independent, single-site pubs and hotels.

Among the celebrity chefs who signed the letter are Andi Oliver, Clare Smyth, Jason Atherton, Nathan Outlaw, Paul Ainsworth and Tom Kerridge.