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Harrogate MP steps up pressure for hospitality support in Budget

Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 08:58

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has called on the Chancellor to cut VAT for hospitality businesses.

His appeal follows a recent Hospitality Roundtable, where he heard from local businesses about the pressures facing the sector.

Mr Gordon said a VAT cut would help boost high streets in Harrogate and Knaresborough and support an industry he described as the country’s third largest employer.

Tom Gordon said:

“The best thing the Chancellor can do for hospitality in next week’s Budget is cut VAT.

“Listening to local businesses at my recent Hospitality Roundtable, it’s clear they’ve been hammered over the last few years, and that crucial VAT cut will give Harrogate and Knaresborough’s high streets a much needed boost.

“The hospitality industry is the third largest employer nationally and crucial to towns like ours. Let’s give them a fighting chance.”

Food and non-alcoholic drinks consumed in restaurants, cafés and pubs are generally subject to VAT at 20%.

A temporary reduction was introduced during the pandemic, initially to 5% and then to 12.5%, before the standard rate returned in April 2022.

National trade body UKHospitality is also calling for a reduction in hospitality VAT to 10% ahead of the Budget.

It argues this would help businesses invest, create jobs and keep prices down.

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