Share
Engagement with MPs is vital to ensure that hospitality is championed across the UK. We have created an easy to use tool to enable you to write to your MP and invite them to your business to see firsthand how hospitality is #ServingBritain.
Find the tool here.
On Tuesday 21 January, we held our annual Parliamentary Reception to gather members and supportive parliamentarians to discuss the state of the sector and challenges posed by the Budget in Autumn.
This a flagship event and an important occasion for our members to be able to directly put the case to MPs about why their support is crucial for the future of the sector and how by MPs supporting the sector we can in return help to grow the economy, create jobs and regenerate communities.
We welcomed 50 Parliamentarians alongside 150 members.
Of the MPs that attended we were pleased to welcome MPs from across the House, with many MPs attending who were newly elected in the general election last year who have since become active members of the Hospitality and Tourism APPG.
The sector’s commitment to growth was commended by the government minister as well as providing flexible and alternative routes to employment.
The sector’s commitment to growth was commended by the government minister as well as providing flexible and alternative routes to employment. The Shadow Secretary of State praised our phenomenal track record for inclusion and giving people their first chance on the employment ladder. We were also joined later by the Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch who spoke to members present.
The diversity of the sector was shown by the attendance of our members including large multisite operators and small independents. Our members from the restaurant sector, hotel, quick service restaurants and the nighttime economy engaged with MPs on subjects such as the apprenticeship levy, reform to business rates and employer NICs.
Hospitality and tourism is in my blood - I know how vital this industry is. My town is a town built on hospitality. It’s not just an industry, it’s the lifeblood of our town.
This event was held by the Chair of the APPG for Hospitality and Tourism, Chris Webb MP, with speakers from both the Government and the Official Opposition.
It’s important that if we are to have that economic growth, hospitality will be the one to deliver it. We create powerful career opportunities and pathways to social mobility. We are the underpinning of growth, the unlocker of investment.
Our CEO, Kate Nicholls, addressed the reception.
This is a fabulous industry. It has a phenomenal track record for inclusion and giving people their first chance on the ladder. What you’re doing matters immensely.
We were joined by Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
You help to drive growth. You provide flexible and alternative routes to employment. People in all walks of life are found in hospitality. There are few other sectors where you can say that with confidence. It is a phenomenal industry.
We heard from Gareth Thomas MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Services, Small Business and Exports.
