‘Back hospitality to serve Britain’, UKH urges
The call comes during a week of party manifestos being launched, where UKH has already secured commitments for the sector
UKHospitality plans to call on all political parties to give their backing to the sector at its annual summer conference, as it maintains that hospitality can grow at a “significantly” faster rate than the wider economy.
According to economic analysis from UKH and Ignite Economics, the sector can grow by 6% a year and create 500,000 new jobs with the right investment.
The trade body’s policy recommendations for an incoming government include: fixing business rates with a permanently reduced rate for hospitality and tourism; reforming the Apprenticeship Levy; planning reform to allow more hospitality-led regeneration of towns and cities; and reviewing and reforming VAT to bring it in line with European rivals.
The call comes during a week of party manifestos being launched, where UKH has already secured commitments for the sector.
In her opening speech to the conference, UKH CEO Kate Nicholls will say: “Hospitality is a huge economic engine, with a turnover of £140bn and £54bn in taxes, funding vital public services. Make no mistake, we are working as hard as anyone to create the economic growth this country desperately needs.
“But our impact goes far beyond that. We make memories, and we make places. Places where people want to live, work and invest. Hospitality can be the difference between a thriving community and a failing one.”
She will add: “Our message to all political parties was and is simple. Back us. Back hospitality. Back us to regenerate our towns and cities. Back us to invest in our people and create more jobs. Back us to serve Britain.”
