Jacques Borel's VAT Club reported to have raised £1m from members

Veteran French lobbyist Jacques Borel is reported to have received £1m for his efforts to convince the UK Government to reduce VAT for hospitality businesses.

The 86-year-old founded the Jacques Borel VAT Club in 2010 to call for a reduction in the VAT rate from 20% to 5%.

He has since recruited around 40 members to his campaign, which seeks a reduction of VAT on accommodation and food in the hospitality environment.

Prominent supporters include pub companies JD Wetherspoon, Punch Taverns and Young's.

Borel's campaign has been given tens of thousands of pounds by each member company, according to the www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2312186/Pub-restaurant-groups-pay-86-year-old-Frenchman-1m-convince-UK-government-cut-VAT.html?ito=feeds-newsxml">http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2312186/Pub-restaurant-groups-pay-86-year-old-Frenchman-1m-convince-UK-government-cut-VAT.html?ito=feeds-newsxml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Mail on Sunday.

The Frenchman claims to have successfully negotiated a reduction in VAT rates in several European countries during his career, including in France, which still enjoy a special rate for hospitality businesses of 7%, although that is set to rise to 10% in 2014.

A spokesman for Borel said he was "unaware" of the £1m figure mentioned in the Mail on Sunday‘s report.