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UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls
With increases in long-term unemployment in 16-24 year olds, and estimates that between September 2022 and December 2022 there was a record high of economic inactivity, the latest ONS figures remain reflective of uncertainties across industries.
Responding to the latest ONS labour market data, UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said:
“The labour figures published today by the ONS indicate that hospitality businesses are continuing to face an incredibly challenging recruitment landscape, with vacancy rates still 72% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
“This chimes with our Budget submission that we sent to the Chancellor earlier this month, where we call for Apprenticeship Levy reform, to give employers more control over the delivery and funding of training which would, ultimately, allow many of the economically inactive to get back into work, at almost no cost to the Government.
“Recruitment will, undoubtedly, continue to be a key challenge for the industry to grapple with, so government intervention ranging from apprenticeship reform, investment in skills and implementing short-term immigration solutions, will ultimately make the challenge easier for businesses to manage.
“It is only through measures such as these that the sector will be able to truly turn the corner, filling essential roles to help deliver growth and create even more job opportunities.”