Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Scottish government backs VAT campaign

Published: 29 September, 2026

The Scottish government has announced its support for the #VATsTheProblem campaign, which aims to cut VAT on hospitality to 10%.

Petition urges Government to help 9,000 pubs at risk of closure

Published: 04 June, 2025

Campaign group #Save Britain’s Pubs has launched a petition urging the government to introduce emergency measures to help curb the decline of the nation’s public houses.

Hospitality entrepreneur launches government petition to extend visa programme

Published: 26 January, 2022

In light of the ongoing staff crisis facing the UK's hospitality sector, bar owner Sunny Hodge has raised a petition to extend the Skilled Worker Visa programme, arguing that it should be expanded to include non-managerial on-trade positions such as sommeliers, cocktail bartenders and maitre’ds.

Minister of hospitality petition exceeds 200,000 signatures ahead of parliamentary debate today

Published: 11 January, 2021

The ‘Seat at the Table’ petition, which is calling for Boris Johnson to appoint a hospitality minister, has received over 200,000 signatures.

Industry petitions government not to wash its hands of responsibility on venue closures

Published: 17 March, 2020

The trade can now sign a petition that is urging the government to take urgent to action to provide financial and practical advice for the UK’s pubs, bars and restaurants.