The UK hospitality industry is currently experiencing significant financial instability, prompting industry stakeholders to advocate for a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT).

英國餐旅業目前正經歷顯著的財務不穩定，促使業內利益相關者倡導降低增值稅 (VAT)。

The sector's current instability is attributed to a confluence of macroeconomic and policy-driven factors. Historical disruptions stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic have been compounded by escalating energy costs, precipitated by the invasion of Ukraine and geopolitical instability in the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, the implementation of increased national minimum wages and employers' national insurance contributions by the current administration has reportedly added £5bn in annual operational costs. Data commissioned by industry trade bodies indicates that 23% of hospitality enterprises are currently operating at a loss, with approximately 16.7% anticipating insolvency within a twelve-month horizon.

該產業目前的動盪歸因於宏觀經濟與政策驅動因素的共同影響。Covid-19 疫情造成的歷史性衝擊，加上俄烏戰爭及霍爾木茲海峽地緣政治不穩定導致能源成本飆升，使得情況更加惡化。此外，現任政府提高國家最低工資與雇主國民保險供款，據報每年增加了 50 億英鎊的營運成本。業團委託的數據顯示，23% 的餐旅企業目前處於虧損狀態，約 16.7% 預計在十二個月內會破產。

In response to these conditions, a coalition of industry figures, including Tom Kerridge and Nick Mackenzie, has initiated the 'VAT’s the problem' campaign. This initiative seeks a reduction of the hospitality VAT rate from 20% to 10%, citing a lack of alignment with European counterparts. For instance, Germany maintains a 7% rate, while France, Italy, and Spain utilize 10%. The Republic of Ireland is also scheduled to implement a reduction to 9% for food-led enterprises. Proponents argue that such a fiscal adjustment would facilitate workforce expansion and vocational training.

針對這些情況，包括 Tom Kerridge 和 Nick Mackenzie 在內的業界領袖發起了一場名為「VAT 才是問題」(VAT’s the problem) 的運動。此倡議尋求將餐旅業的增值稅率從 20% 降至 10%，理由是與歐洲同行不一致。例如，德國維持 7% 的稅率，而法國、義大利和西班牙則採用 10%。愛爾蘭共和國也計劃將以餐飲為主之企業的稅率降至 9%。支持者主張，此類財政調整將有助於擴大勞動力並提供職業訓練。

Conversely, the proposal faces institutional opposition based on fiscal efficiency. HMRC and the Tax Policy Associates (TPA) estimate the cost of this reduction to be between £10.5bn and £12bn. The TPA contends that the primary beneficiaries would be large multinational corporations—exemplified by a projected £432m retention for McDonald’s—rather than small-scale enterprises. Consequently, the TPA suggests that a reform of business rates, which are tied to property valuations, or a reversal of national insurance increases would constitute a more precise mechanism for stimulating growth. While political figure Andy Burnham has previously expressed support for the VAT reduction, his recent economic discourse has prioritized the reform of business rates over direct VAT intervention.

相反地，該提案因財政效率問題面臨機構反對。英國稅務及海關總署 (HMRC) 與稅務政策協會 (TPA) 估計，此項減稅的成本在 105 億至 120 億英鎊之間。TPA 主張，主要的受益者將是大型跨國公司——例如麥當勞預計可獲益 4.32 億英鎊——而非小規模企業。因此，TPA 建議改革與物業估值掛鉤的商業率 (Business Rates)，或撤銷國民保險增幅，將會是刺激增長更精確的機制。雖然政治人物 Andy Burnham 先前曾表示支持降低增值稅，但他近期的經濟論述將改革商業率置於優先地位，而非直接干預增值稅。

The hospitality sector remains in a state of financial precariousness, with a continuing tension between industry demands for VAT relief and government concerns regarding fiscal expenditure.

餐旅業仍處於財務不穩定狀態，業內要求減稅與政府對財政支出的擔憂之間持續存在緊張關係。