Why UK chefs are rooting for Andy Burnham to become Prime Minister
Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation earlier today, June 22, and former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has suggested he would run to replace him.
It seems he is a popular choice for many, with former health secretary Wes Streeting deciding not to run, and saying he would back Burnham instead.
Some of the top chefs in the UK are also crossing their fingers that Burnham will be successful in securing the top job, after previous comments he has made has given them hope for the future for their businesses.
Previously Burnham has called for VAT tax to be cut for hospitality businesses.
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Several chefs had previously launched a campaign called 'VAT’s the problem', calling for a cut to help small businesses and kitchens.
He is seeking to slash it from 20% to 10%, and it's something the likes of celebrity chef Tom Kerridge agrees with.
By comparison, in countries such as France, Spain and Italy, the level of VAT in pubs, restaurants, hotels and bars is 10%.
Elsewhere in Germany it is just 7%, and many chefs are hoping the UK will fall into line with the others.
“Andy Burnham has backed a cut to VAT and as Manchester mayor he represents one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the UK with a growing food scene,” Kerridge praised, according to the Guardian.
“This is somebody who understands nightlife, food, hospitality and entertainment, he sees it as the lifeblood of creativity.
“It’s looking like there may be a future leadership contest and this is someone the whole of hospitality should get behind.”
Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, has also said he wants to cut it to 10%, but Kerridge disagrees with Farage's proposed two-child benefit cap in order to fund this.
“This is an easy photo opportunity for Nigel Farage to stand there with a pint and take advantage. Funding it by reinstating the two-child cap would push more children into poverty, which I do not support," said the chef.
He slammed the previous decisions made by the government for harming the UK's hospitality industry: "We have a country that is being run by spreadsheets in the Treasury as opposed to operators,” he said.
“There are many people in government who are trying to understand hospitality. Andy Burnham has an understanding of it. It is perhaps the Treasury and Rachel Reeves who lacks understanding."
His feelings are echoed by other chefs, too, including Thomasina Miers, a co-founder of the restaurant chain Wahaca,
She said: “I think he really understands not only hospitality but because he is working in such an incredible devolved area, it has such a thriving restaurant industry. I think Andy Burnham does get it.”
Another chef, Tommy Banks, said: “I wholeheartedly support Andy Burnham’s comments on VAT – it feels like our industry is finally being heard. It’s a relief to hear someone at government level finally advocating for us at a time when our industry is at crisis point with more and more independent hospitality businesses closing each day. We need to bring our VAT rates down to match those across Europe and we need to do so urgently.”
Jen Thomas