EPISODE · Jul 6, 2026 · 6 MIN
Keir Starmer vs Tom Kerridge: The UK Hospitality Crisis
from We Have A Meeting
Sign Tom's Petition to help lower VAT: https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/ In this episode, we sit down with Tom Kerridge, Michelin starred chef and hospitality entrepreneur, for one of the most tactical, politically charged, and strategically brilliant conversations about what it really takes to create change at government level, why this isn't Tom Kerridge versus Keir Starmer but a coordinated industry wide movement, and why being officially fucking loud matters more than following official petition processes if you actually want Treasury to listen. You'll hear why Tom warned government beforehand that this campaign was coming, why he's been invited into meetings with the Business and Trade Secretary who understands that VAT reduction is the key lever to hospitality survival, and why front bench ministers already know this works because they're doing 5% VAT on kids meals this summer to encourage theme park visits. We reveal why this has become cross party with Nigel Farage, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, Andy Burnham, and Angela Rayner all backing hospitality VAT reduction, and why Tom is deliberately building regional ambassadors up and down the country so this doesn't become about one celebrity chef but about saving the pub just around the corner from you. More from Tom: Website: https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/ Hear more from the Hosts: Jack https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-frimston-5010177b/?originalSubdomain=uk Zac https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-thompson-33a9a39b/
What this episode covers
Sign Tom's Petition to help lower VAT: https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/ In this episode, we sit down with Tom Kerridge, Michelin starred chef and hospitality entrepreneur, for one of the most tactical, politically charged, and strategically brilliant conversations about what it really takes to create change at government level, why this isn't Tom Kerridge versus Keir Starmer but a coordinated industry wide movement, and why being officially fucking loud matters more than following official petition processes if you actually want Treasury to listen. You'll hear why Tom warned government beforehand that this campaign was coming, why he's been invited into meetings with the Business and Trade Secretary who understands that VAT reduction is the key lever to hospitality survival, and why front bench ministers already know this works because they're doing 5% VAT on kids meals this summer to encourage theme park visits. We reveal why this has become cross party with Nigel Farage, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, Andy Burnham, and Angela Rayner all backing hospitality VAT reduction, and why Tom is deliberately building regional ambassadors up and down the country so this doesn't become about one celebrity chef but about saving the pub just around the corner from you. More from Tom: Website: https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/ Hear more from the Hosts: Jack https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-frimston-5010177b/?originalSubdomain=uk Zac https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-thompson-33a9a39b/
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Keir Starmer vs Tom Kerridge: The UK Hospitality Crisis
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