Top chefs back Andy Burnham for prime minister to cut VAT on hospitality

Tom Kerridge: ‘We have a country that is being run by spreadsheets in the Treasury as opposed to operators.’ Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Chefs and restaurateurs have said they hope Andy Burnham becomes prime minister after he backed calls to cut VAT tax for hospitality businesses.

Burnham, who is standing as the Labour candidate in the Makerfield byelection and is expected to launch a challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership if he wins, has called for the rate to be cut from 20% to 10% to be in line with European rates.