Written Question·Treasury·UIN 111571

Public Houses: VAT

Tabled: 6 February 2026
Answered: 12 February 2026

Question

Dr Roz Savage

Liberal DemocratSouth Cotswolds

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has conducted a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) VAT rates on food and drink served in pubs compared with (b) VAT rates applied in comparable European countries.

Answer

Dan Tomlinson
The Government recognises the significant contribution made by pubs to economic growth and social life in the UK. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Reduced rates of VAT come at a...

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