Pub and restaurant body challenges Chancellor on VAT budget omission

UKHospitality has challenged Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng on VAT and business rates (PA)

(Picture: PA Media)

The industry body for the UK’s pub and restaurants has welcomed the mini budget from Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng but has criticised  a lack of immediate measures including lower VAT and business rates relief that would bolster the ailing hospitality industry.

As part of Kwarteng’s radical tax cutting budget the Chancellor scrapped planned hikes in the tax paid on beer, wine spirits and cider as he introduced an “18-month transitional measure for wine duty”.