UK restaurants are quietly raising service charges as digital tipping becomes the new normal.

Across the UK, diners are seeing a new trend: service charges on restaurant bills are rising from the usual 10–12.5% to a new standard of 15%, with some experts predicting a shift toward 20% in the near future.

This change is being driven by new tipping laws that require all gratuities—whether paid in cash or digitally—to go directly to staff. For customers, this means more transparency and less confusion about where their money is going. For hospitality workers, it means fairer pay. And for businesses, it’s a push to modernise how they handle gratuities. This is where digital tipping apps like airtip.app are becoming essential.

The UK Tipping Act is reshaping how hospitality businesses handle digital tips.Since October 2024, the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act has made it illegal for employers to keep any portion of tips

This has forced restaurants, cafés, and bars to rethink their systems. Many are now adopting cashless tipping solutions, updating their point-of-sale systems, and training staff to ensure compliance. airtip.app is helping businesses stay ahead by offering a seamless, compliant, and transparent way to manage digital tips. With features like real-time notifications, automated tip distribution, and easy integration, airtip.app ensures that every tip reaches the right person—quickly and fairly.

Digital tipping is no longer a luxury—it’s becoming the standard.With QR codes on tables and mobile-friendly tipping options, digital gratuities are now a seamless part of the dining experience. Customers can tip in seconds, and staff receive their earnings directly, without delays or deductions. This shift is not just about convenience—it’s about fairness, accountability, and trust. airtip.app enhances this experience by offering a user-friendly interface, secure transactions, and full transparency for both staff and customers. As the UK hospitality industry evolves, airtip.app is proud to be part of the solution—making tipping fairer, faster, and more transparent for everyone.