Government

Skills England programme to ‘help reduce reliance on overseas workers’

23-Jul-2024 By James McAllister

The Government has announced the launch of Skills England, a new body aimed at creating a ‘shared national ambition to boost the nation’s skills’ and ‘reduce reliance on overseas workers’.

‘A new deal for working people’ - Government sets out plan to overhaul employment rights

17-Jul-2024 By James McAllister

Zero-hour contracts and ‘fire and rehire’ practises will both be banned under the Government’s new Employment Rights Bill, which it says will ‘introduce a new deal for working people’.

Free refills of sugary drinks face ban in Wales under Government proposals

15-Jul-2024 By James McAllister

Free refills of sugary drinks could be banned in Wales under measures put forward by the country’s Government.

Hospitality calls on Labour to deliver manifesto commitments following historic landslide

05-Jul-2024 By James McAllister

Hospitality leaders have said Labour must deliver on its manifesto commitments to replace business rates and reform the Apprenticeship Levy following the party’s landslide victory in the general election.

The Lowdown: General Election 2024

21-Jun-2024 By James McAllister

It’s less than two weeks to go until the country heads to the polls, but what, if anything, are the main political parties promising to help support the hospitality sector?

UKHospitality: ‘Flatlining economy underlines importance of sector as driver of growth’

12-Jun-2024 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that official figures showing a flatlining economy in April reinforces the need for an incoming government to act swiftly to ensure the sector can thrive.

Just 28% of hospitality companies ‘currently compliant’ with Tips Bill

04-Jun-2024 By James McAllister

Less than a third of hospitality businesses are ‘currently compliant’ with the new tipping law set to be introduced later this year, new research warns.

UKHospitality calls for interest rate cut as inflation falls

22-May-2024 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has called for interest rates to come down after figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed inflation falling to its lowest level in almost three years.

High Street Rental Auctions plan ‘will create opportunities for hospitality businesses’

16-May-2024 By James McAllister

Government proposals to allow vacant commercial properties to be brought into use via auction will ‘create opportunities for hospitality businesses to move into high streets’, a trade body has said.

Restaurants to be required to provide single sex toilet facilities under new legislation

07-May-2024 By James McAllister

New non-domestic buildings including restaurants will be required to provide separate single-sex toilets for women and men under changes to building regulations.

Food delivery companies to introduce tougher checks to prevent illegal working

01-May-2024 By Restaurant

Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats are to introduce enhanced security checks on their apps to prevent the market being abused by illegal workers.

MPs launch inquiry into ‘recruitment and retention of staff in hospitality’

29-Apr-2024 By James McAllister

A cross-party group of MPs has launched an inquiry into the ‘recruitment and retention of staff in hospitality’.

Hospitality venues removed from list of mandatory return points under revised Deposit Return Scheme

26-Apr-2024 By James McAllister

Hospitality venues will no longer be required to host a return point under the Government’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), the roll out of which has been further delayed until 2027.

Implementation of Tips Bill delayed until October

23-Apr-2024 By James McAllister

The implementation of a new tipping law has been pushed back from July to October to allow more time for businesses to introduce any changes required.

Fresh rail and tube strikes announced for April and May

21-Mar-2024 By James McAllister

A fresh wave of strikes across the rail network and the London Underground have been announced by the main train drivers' union, Aslef, for April and May.

Apprenticeship reforms a ‘benefit for both businesses and employees’

18-Mar-2024 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has described a new major package of reforms to support businesses to deliver more apprenticeship places as being ‘very positive’.

The lowdown: the recruitment restaurant

15-Mar-2024 By Resturant

An alternative hospitality recruitment method to traditional CVs and interviews has been put into action.

"An empty budget": hospitality reacts to Hunt's Spring Budget

06-Mar-2024 By Restaurant

The hospitality sector has reacted with criticism to the Spring Budget after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt failed to announce a much-needed reduction to VAT or business rates.

Business leaders and MPs increase calls for industry support ahead of Budget

29-Feb-2024 By James McAllister

Hospitality business leaders have signed an open letter urging the Chancellor to take immediate action at the Budget to support the sector.

UKHospitality: "tipping code offers right level of flexibility for businesses"

22-Feb-2024 By Restaurant

UKHospitality has welcomed the proposed tipping code of practice that comes into force in July as the consultation period for the draft code comes to an end.

Hospitality in ‘perilous state’ as quarter of businesses run out of cash

19-Feb-2024 By James McAllister

Hospitality’s leading trade bodies have warned that the sector is in a ‘perilous state’ after new research found a quarter of businesses have no cash reserves.

MPs call on Government to ‘listen to the hospitality sector’ and back VAT cut

01-Feb-2024 By James McAllister

MPs from across the political divide including the Conservative’s Tobias Ellwood and former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron have voiced their support for measures to support the hospitality sector.

“This is an emergency": industry figures unite to call for VAT reduction

30-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

MasterChef winner Simon Wood and Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, have joined a host of Manchester chefs and operators calling for a cut in VAT to 10% for the hospitality sector.

Government-backed hospitality employment scheme expands to Wales

25-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

A Government-backed employment scheme designed to offer jobseekers career opportunities within the hospitality sector is expanding to Wales with the launch of a new pilot in Cardiff.

The Lowdown: changes to Skilled Worker visas

19-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

The Government has released important new information about its changes to a means of employing staff from abroad that has been a 'lifeline' for some parts of the hospitality industry.

Hospitality businesses ‘left dismayed’ as further train strikes announced

15-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses have been ‘left dismayed’ after the main train drivers' union, Aslef, announced that a fresh series of rail strikes would take place later this month.

Lower VAT rate for hospitality leads UKHospitality's 2024 three-point plan

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

UK Hospitality has unveiled its three-point plan for the coming year that will focus on growth, investment, and jobs.

‘Concern’ from Welsh hospitality as rates relief slashed

21-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses in Wales are facing a business rates hike next year after the Welsh Government announced it would reduce the sector’s discount while raising the rate across the board.

Scottish hospitality pleads for rates support as 10,000 businesses ‘hang in the balance’

18-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

New analysis shows that thousands of Scottish hospitality businesses will be left unsupported if rates relief isn’t included in the Scottish Budget tomorrow (19 December).

Government publishes tipping code of practise

18-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The Government has published a draft code of practice on the fair and transparent distribution of tips, which will come into effect on 1 July 2024.

Rishi Sunak: “My primary concern was protecting millions of jobs”

11-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended the Eat Out to Help Out scheme he introduced in August 2020 as chancellor saying it was created to save the livelihoods of millions of people.

Ofgem proposals ‘much needed’ to deliver fairness to hospitality businesses

08-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Proposals by Ofgem to expand rules on standards of conduct to all businesses and increase transparency for those using third-party brokers have been described as ‘much needed’ to hospitality operators.

Hospitality labour shortages set to 'worsen' under new immigration plans

05-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality leaders have warned new immigration rules that will raise the minimum salary for a skilled worker visa will ‘further shrink’ the talent pool businesses are recruiting from.

Relief for hospitality as rates relief extended, but operators left wanting by Autumn Statement

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality leaders have voiced frustration at the Chancellor’s failure to announce any additional support measures for the sector in his Autumn Statement, beyond those already in place.

Chancellor extends business rates discount for hospitality as he delivers Autumn Statement

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed that the business rates discount for hospitality businesses will be extended for a further year, with the multiplier for small premises also frozen.

Sector pleads for support as leaders warn wage increase could be ‘death knell’ for many

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Industry leaders have warned an increase in the National Living Wage could be a ‘death knell’ for smaller hospitality businesses without targeted tax cuts in today’s (22 November) Autumn Statement.

Government urges food delivery companies to end unchecked account sharing

15-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Food delivery firms have been urged by the Government to introduce tougher vetting measures on all delivery drivers in a bid to prevent illegal working.

Key industry players join calls for Government to scrap business rates rise

10-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Key industry players including Tom Kerridge, Tom Aikens and Monica Galetti have signed a letter calling on the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to extend business rates support in his Autumn Statement.

New minimum service level regulations to ensure 40% of trains run on strike days

07-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The Government is to introduce new minimum service level regulations to mitigate disruption and ensure public services continue to operate if strikes are called.

Trade bodies push for further business rates support ahead of Autumn Statement

06-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality trade bodies have reasserted calls for the Government to extend business rates support, after new data showed inaction would force operators to reduce investment and cut staffing levels.

Inflation to drop £864m business rates 'bombshell' on hospitality

18-Oct-2023 By Restaurant

The planned inflation-linked rise in business rates in April will cost hospitality businesses an additional £234m it has been revealed.

Failure to add hospitality roles to Shortage Occupation List ‘holding sector back reaching full potential’

04-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has criticised the decision not to add chef roles to the UK's Shortage Occupation List, saying it ‘demonstrates a lack of understanding and outdated perception’ of hospitality recruitment.

UKH: 'hospitality businesses continue to suffer as collateral damage in rail strike dispute'

22-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has called on the Government, rail unions and companies to resume negotiations as a matter of urgency and try to resolve the ongoing train strikes.

Government-backed employment scheme launches to fill hospitality job vacancies

11-Sep-2023 By Restaurant

The Government has joined forces with the hospitality industry to help create the next generation of leaders.

350 hospitality businesses respond to Ofgem's energy consultation

06-Sep-2023 By Restaurant

More than 350 hospitality businesses have responded to Ofgem’s consultation, urging the watchdog to take swift action to improve the energy market.

Fresh train strikes announced

21-Aug-2023 By Hannah Currie

Train drivers are preparing to stage a fresh strike in a long running dispute over pay.

UKHospitality makes fresh call to freeze business rates amid warning of £220m bill rise

21-Aug-2023 By Restaurant

UKHospitality has made a fresh plea for the Chancellor to freeze business rates, amid warnings a hike in bills could dent investment and leave many small firms ‘on the brink’.

Licensing rules on hospitality off sales extended until 2025

14-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

The automatic, pandemic-era provision for hospitality venues to sell alcohol for offsite consumption has been extended by 18 months after the Government decided to keep Covid licensing rules.

Hospitality businesses urged to back #FiveAsksForOfgem

09-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality is calling on the sector to support its demand for Ofgem to rapidly implement the recommendations from its energy market review.

Sunak urged to reassess rise in worker visa fees

08-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Rishi Sunak is facing calls to rethink a planned increase in visa fees for migrant workers amid fears it will harm the UK’s competitiveness and efforts to plug labour shortages.