Michelin-starred chef calls for VAT cut for restaurants

Michelin-starred chef calls for VAT cut for restaurantsImage caption, Sat Bains said a VAT cut would be welcome but the wider cost of living had to be tackledByJames LewerEast Midlands TodayPublishedJust nowA Michelin-starred chef has called on the government to cut VAT for the restaurant industry.Sat Bains ran a breakfast pop-up on Sunday at a small deli in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, to support local businesses during a difficult time for the hospitality industry nationally.The 55-year-old, who has a two-star Michelin restaurant in Nottingham, said a reduction in the tax rate "would help" but uncertainty about the cost of living was the biggest issue.The government said addressing business costs was as important as tackling the cost of living.Image source, PAImage caption, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and chancellor John Healey have announced early help for pubsBains said he had worked with the owner of No.8 Deli, John Hyman, for more than 20 years.Bains said: "We do a breakfast offering at the restaurant, with the rooms, and we thought it would be brilliant to do something different."So we thought 'a pop-up take over', we thought 'let's support local'."His team created deli-style versions of some of his breakfast menu, including Earl Grey prunes and crumpets with smoked trout.The move was, in part, prompted by the difficulty of the trading environment for hospitality.Image caption, Jonathan Hyman said independent shops were a vital part of the high streetEarlier this month, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a 20% cut in business rates for pubs, social clubs and music venues in England, telling them "the cavalry is coming".Some hospitality firms welcomed the move but others in the industry, such as hotels and restaurants, questioned why the 20% cut to business rates would not extend to them.Bains called for more action from the government to slash VAT rates."The VAT is the problem in the...