Wetherspoons slashes food and drinks prices across over 700 pubs TODAY – with pints for just £5

WETHERSPOONS has slashed the price of all food and drink across all of its 700 pubs today – and you could score a pint for as little as £5 Punters will be able to enjoy major discounts on the entirety of the pub chain’s menu. The discounts apply to all of the chain’s locations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland Credit: Alamy In honour of Tax Equality Day, the Wetherspoons menu is set to become even more affordable, with prices slashed by 7.5 per cent today (September 17). This has been done in order to highlight “the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry”. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! As a result, every one of the brewer’s branches across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will offer cut prices on food, drinks and alcohol. While, locations in Scotland will only provide reductions on food and non-alcoholic drinks. Food, drinks and services in pubs and restaurants are currently subject to 20 per cent VAT – around 10 per cent higher than in European countries such as Spain and Italy. This has led more than 800 hospitality leaders and trade groups to demand a reduction from the government, stating that the high charge has had negative impacts on an already struggling industry. Meanwhile supermarkets have a 0 per cent VAT charge on food. This has led founder and chairman of Wetherspoons, Sir Tim Martin, to call for pub VAT to be cut to 12.5 per cent – hence the upcoming 7.5 per cent discount day. Most read in Money He said: “A VAT cut to 12.5 per cent is needed to ensure that pubs, bars and restaurants do not continue to close, but instead thrive, invest and create new jobs. “We call on the chancellor to create tax equality between the hospitality industry and supermarkets.” This means – depending on location – a large breakfast could cost as little as £6.97, while a pint of Bud Light could be as cheap as £5.09. Comment now