The Submission
UKHospitality has recorded that the #VATsTheProblem campaign submitted the current progress of its petition to 10 Downing Street. The release is dated 14 October 2026 and states that 401,250 people were supporting the call for 10% hospitality VAT at the point of submission.
The campaign places the hand-in two weeks before the Budget and carries one ask: reduce hospitality VAT to 10%.
The Record of the Count
The figure is the campaign’s own running tally of signatures. The Caterer reported 401,250 signatures at 11:24 on 14 October. The Morning Advertiser, updating at 14:40 the same day, recorded 403,167 and placed the 400,000 mark earlier that week. MCA Insight reported more than 400,000.
Those readings are one live petition counted at different hours. No audited register of signatures has been published.
The Delegation
Chef Tom Kerridge delivered the petition. He was accompanied by Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality; Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association; and Steve Alton, chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping. Adam Hyman, founder of CODE Hospitality, appears in the campaign photographs.
The campaign lists UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping and CODE Hospitality as its supporting organisations. The Caterer credits the image to Simon Jacobs of PA Media Assignments.
The Quotation
Kerridge said the support from the public and from hospitality had been “enormous”, and that delivering the petition before the Budget had mattered. He said more than 400,000 people had backed 10% hospitality VAT because their pubs, restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels on the high street need it.
He added that the campaign continues. “The petition so far has been delivered to Downing Street but our campaign for a lower rate of hospitality VAT continues,” he said.
The Caterer reports that Kerridge separately told that outlet a VAT reduction could save 21 businesses a week. The figure is his.
The Budget
The Budget is set for Wednesday 28 October 2026. Chancellor John Healey describes it as his first Budget.
Hospitality VAT stands at 20%. The campaign asks for 10%, citing France, Spain and Italy at 10% and Germany at 7%.
Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on 20 July 2026. The release states that the submission was intended to show support for “a fairer tax burden for hospitality” and to build on the Prime Minister’s support for the sector.
What Remains Open
No VAT rate change has been announced. The ask sits with the Treasury.
UKHospitality carries a second Budget ask. The Caterer reports that the body wants the reduced employer National Insurance contribution threshold rolled back. It also reports that UKHospitality welcomed a “positive discussion” on youth unemployment after a meeting between the chancellor and hospitality and retail leaders in the week of the submission.