UKH: ‘Labour needs to deliver on its commitments, and quick’

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has said that “we need to see Labour deliver on its commitments, and quick,” after the party secured a landslide victory at the general election. The UKH boss said within the first 100 weeks, the sector needs to see reduced employer National Insurance Contributions to help sector businesses with their staffing costs and to help drive net zero, green investment in the sector “needs to be better supported”, through the introduction of investment credits. Nicholls also said that in this parliamentary term, planning reform needs to take place to “allow the sector to invest, grow and regenerate our towns and cities,” adding that too often, expansion plans are curtailed by “arcane and arduous planning laws”. The Labour party won a landslide victory with over 400 seats and a majority of around 170 with a small number of seats still to declare at the time of writing. Many business leaders have now called on Starmer to deliver on his manifesto promises to help hospitality to flourish and prosper. Saxon Moseley, partner and head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK: “There are three quick wins that the new government could deliver to support the hospitality industry now. Firstly, replacing the business rates system to alleviate the biggest burden for hospitality businesses, and stimulate growth. “Second, reduce the threshold for visas within hospitality roles to close the skills gap and help recruitment for key jobs such as experienced chefs which the industry is currently lacking. Thirdly, cut VAT on food and drink sales to help businesses who have seen margins eroded in recent years.” Meanwhile, CAMRA chairman Nik Antona, said: “CAMRA would like to welcome Labour as the new UK Government, we look forward to working alongside them on the issues impacting consumers, pubs, social clubs and producers of beer, cider and perry. It was heartening to hear Labour’s announcement of a five-point plan to “end the decline of British locals” during their election campaigning, and I hope that Labour will implement these proposals as soon as possible. “Throughout the UK, CAMRA will be campaigning to see progress in improving consumer rights, pushing for the Government to give consumers a right to information about drinks on the bar and the introduction of a new consumer right to a full pint. We hope the new Labour Government will recognise the need for independent producers to have better access to the pub market, with is currently heavily dominated by larger corporations." He concluded: “...In England, CAMRA hopes the Government will improve planning protection and enforcement to protect pubs and social clubs facing unfair demolition, and to order pubs to be built brick by brick if necessary. CAMRA has long called for Business rates to be completely reformed in order for pubs to avoid unfair overpayments. It’s great to see that Labour is committed to changing the outdated business rates system to make it fairer between online enterprises and bricks and mortar businesses like pubs. “We also welcome plans to introduce a genuine community right to buy, which will help many loved pubs stay open and create exciting new opportunities for the sector to thrive.”

UKH: ‘Labour needs to deliver on its commitments, and quick’

The Labour party won a landslide victory with over 400 seats and a majority of around 170 with a small number of seats still to declare at the time of writing

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Today’s news in brief – 05/07/24