Tax Equality Day 2026

On Thursday 17 September, Wetherspoon's pubs are to cut the price of all food and drinks by 7.5 per cent - to highlight the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry. Prices at the pubs will be reduced for one day only to mark Tax Equality Day (in Scotland, in line with Scottish licensing laws, prices will be reduced on food and non-alcoholic drinks only). For example, a customer spending £10 on food and drinks will pay only £9.25 on Tax Equality Day. All food and drinks in pubs are subject to 20 per cent VAT. In comparison, supermarkets pay zero VAT on food and are able to use that saving to sell alcohol to customers at a discounted price. Wetherspoon's founder and chairman, Tim Martin, stated that the biggest threat to the hospitality industry is the vast disparity in tax treatment among pubs, restaurants and supermarkets. He emphasized the need for a VAT cut to 12.5 per cent to ensure that pubs, bars and restaurants do not continue to close, but instead thrive, invest and create new jobs.