Moray House students at the University of Edinburgh have been the victims of a price hike in catering services due to the addition of VAT in the Chapters Restaurant.

While students should have VAT waived on catering, Accommodation Services have added VAT to prices “due to a change in their business mix."

To avoid administrative issues with Revenue and Customs, students are being treated the same as the general public by the University of Edinburgh's commercial arm, Edinburgh First.

As a result, students across Edinburgh pay prices comparable to Prêt À Manger, Costa and Starbucks at campus catering outlets.

Ross MacRae, a Moray House student, told The Journal he was outraged at the situation: “This is just the latest in a long list of incidents where students are being treated with no respect. There was no consultation and no warning.

“Moray House students don't have enough space in the campus as it is and we are prohibited from sitting in the Chapters Restaurant unless we buy something.

"This is a University campus and the people who run the services here would do well to remember that.”

The Edinburgh University Students' Association have said that Accommodation Services are "turning their back" on students, telling The Journal: “The government has specifically exempted students from paying VAT on food bought on campus. It's a shame Accommodation Services aren't letting us take advantage of this exemption."

EUSA added that it was fine for Accommodation Services to make money from outside customers but that VAT could still be deducted from sales to students: “This does require matriculation cards to be checked, but it would save students 17.5%. Over a year this is a significant amount of money.”