The hospitality industry is in trouble. The last few years have seen an already low-profit, labour-intensive sector battle with a raft of spiralling costs. Soaring energy and ingredient prices, the recent increase in minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions, punishing business rates, and the cost of living crisis have all contributed to the industry being on its knees. Recent data commissioned by trade bodies shows that just under a quarter of these businesses are losing money, with one in six fearing closure before the end of the year.

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Leading lights of the industry have come out fighting. The VAT’s the Problem campaign, spearheaded by chef Tom Kerridge, is asking for VAT for hospitality businesses to be cut from 20 per cent to 10 per cent – this would bring the UK in line with similar rates across Europe. And there is swelling support: the petition currently has over 250,000 signatures. Kerridge has described the tax cut as ‘the single most important thing the government could do to support our local pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels.’ The campaign says it is pro-growth and self-sustaining; supporting hospitality will save businesses, protect jobs,........

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