UKHospitality responds to treasury budget announcement

“Despite having record numbers of people working in hospitality, labour shortages continue to hold back our sectors growth potential.

 

“The 150,000 vacancies in hospitality are forcing venues to reduce trading hours and days, significantly impacting businesses to the tune of £25 billion in lost sales and £7 billion in lost tax to the Treasury, which hamstrings our very real capability to deliver record sales when firing on all cylinders.

 

“The measures announced by the Government are positive and will help get more people into work. In particular, the introduction of more flexible, shortened skills training and breaking down some of the barriers to work that exists within Universal Credit will be beneficial.

 

“With hospitality so central to the everyday economy and a proven driver of economic growth, investment and jobs, it’s absolutely right that addressing these shortages are a priority for the Chancellor. Making this work for such a strategically important sector will allow hospitality to help the Government deliver its twin objectives of getting the economy growing and bringing down inflation.

 

“Through our work with Ministers on the over 50s working group and as a Disability Ambassador for the Cabinet Office, I look forward to continuing to work with the Government on labour, skills and training.”