Minister for Hospitality petition gains over 37,000 signatures

A petition calling for the Government to create a minister for hospitality has gathered 37,700 signatures since its creation.

The online petition, made in reaction to the current Covid-19 restrictions and upcoming lockdown, asks for a dedicated minister who would liaise with industry representatives.

Currently, the UK hospitality industry creates roughly three million jobs and generates £130bn for the economy. Yet, it does not have a dedicated minister, unlike arts or sports.

The petition argues that the industry needs “a minister who can listen to concerns on taxation and legislation and bring forward suggestions to the chancellor and policy makers” on its behalf.

So far the campaign has garnered support from important industry individuals such as Angela Hartnett, Marcus Wareing, Paul Ainsworth, and Andi Oliver.

According to i, Chantelle Nicholson, a chef and cookbook author in London, said: “Things could be much better handled and we need greater representation. The industry needs proper Parliamentary footing.

“The departments now cannot have the resources to understand the nuances. We don’t have a big enough voice. We should have a minister for the performing arts, too – how can so many things fall under one banner? So many areas feel like an afterthought.”