Hospitality bodies call for ‘urgent action’ on pub staff shortages
In the latest figures, The ONS found that the number of job vacancies dropped for the first time since 2020
“Urgent action” is needed on staff shortages in pubs amid new employment figures being released, according to Hospitality bodies BBPA and UKH.
In the latest figures, The ONS found that the number of job vacancies dropped for the first time since 2020, falling to 1.274 million, a decrease of 19,800 from the previous quarter and the first quarterly fall seen since June to August 2020.
The BBPA’s comment follows its letter to Conservative Leadership candidates calling for them to convene a summit at the earliest opportunity possible to form a long-term plan for the sector and secure the future of thousands of hospitality businesses across the country.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Staffing shortages are causing major issues for pubs and other hospitality businesses, with almost half of operators reducing hours throughout the week because they don’t have enough staff. Our sector is already innovating by offering new training opportunities and flexible hours to encourage people into a career in hospitality, but they can’t solve the issue alone.
“The Government must make it easier to recruit and retain staff, for example by allowing greater flexibility in the apprenticeship levy and increasing the number of hospitality qualifications available so young people can be confident our sector provides a long-term career path. As an industry we rely on brilliant people for our businesses to thrive and so we need a forward-looking plan on labour shortages, so they don’t continue to threaten our sector’s viability.”
Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, added: “Staff shortages have been at a record high in the hospitality industry for some time, causing thousands of operators to cut trading hours or close for whole days, at a cost of £21bn in lost revenue.
“At the same time, operating costs are soaring across the board for businesses already carrying heavy debt levels from the pandemic. The industry needs urgent support from the Government if it is to survive and generate jobs and growth. In short, the recovery of both the sector and the UK economy are being threatened by the workforce crisis.”
