Save UK hospitality: reform VAT to protect jobs and small businesses. Introduce a progressive system: only apply VAT to turnover over the VAT threshold and taper VAT rates based on turnover. In addition, reduce VAT on food served in hospitality while maintaining the standard rate on drinks.

This would support growth, protect jobs, and help prevent closures across the sector. The current VAT system gives a barrier to growth for small businesses, forcing many to limit expansion or risk becoming unviable after crossing the £85,000 threshold. In hospitality and other sectors, rising costs and tight margins are driving closures. A modernised, progressive VAT system and reduced VAT on food would help businesses grow sustainably, protect local jobs, and strengthen communities while still supporting government tax revenue through continued business survival and employment.