Ukhospitality

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’.

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.

Hospitality calls on politicians to ‘unlock sector’s potential’ as general election called

23-May-2024 By James McAllister

Hospitality trade bodies have said any prospective government must ‘unlock the potential of the sector’ following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a general election on 4 July.

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.

Rate of hospitality closures slows in first quarter of 2024

08-May-2024 By James McAllister

Closures in Britain’s hospitality sector slowed from eight sites a day in 2023 to four a day in the first quarter of 2024, the latest Hospitality Market Monitor reveals.

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.

Further train strikes announced for May

23-Apr-2024 By James McAllister

A fresh wave of strikes across the rail network have been announced by the main train drivers' union, Aslef, for the week of the early May Bank Holiday.

Latest rail strikes set to cost hospitality ‘nearly £400m’ in lost sales

05-Apr-2024 By James McAllister

The latest round of rail strikes, which are set to begin today (5 April), are set to cost the hospitality sector a further £387m in lost sales, according to UKHospitality.

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’.

"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.

People on the move: February 2024

26-Feb-2024 By Restaurant

New appointments at top restaurants The Black Swan at Oldstead and KOL are among the big people moves this month.

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.

UKHospitality: Recession a ‘huge concern’ for industry

15-Feb-2024 By James McAllister

UK hospitality businesses face a further knock to consumer confidence after new figures show the UK economy fell into recession at the end of last year.

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.

Hospitality vacancies fall ‘considerably’ but remain above pre-Covid levels

17-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Hospitality vacancies fell to 112,000 at the end of 2023, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), down from 147,000 at the same time in 2022.

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.

RMT suspends tube strikes suspended after ‘positive’ talks with TfL

08-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has suspended industrial action that would have wiped out tube services in London this week.

Tube strikes set to cost hospitality £50m

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that next week's tube strikes in London could cost the sector up to £50m in lost sales.

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).

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 as RMT votes to end rail strikes but hospitality ‘not out of the woods’

30-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses are ‘breathing a sigh of relief’ after RMT union voted to accept a pay deal that will end their involvement in rail strikes until at least the spring.

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.

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.

Business leaders warn of 'disastrous’ consequences if business rates increase

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

A coalition of leading hospitality, retail and leisure organisations have written to the Chancellor urging him to freeze the business rates multiplier and extend existing reliefs for a further year at the upcoming Autumn Statement.

December train strikes set to ‘devastate’ hospitality trading

16-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that fresh train strikes planned for December by the Aslef union will ‘devastate trading’ for the sector and cost businesses up to £800m.

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.

Breakthrough in rail strike negotiations could mean ‘Christmas comes early’ for hospitality

09-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

A breakthrough in the long-running rail dispute between the RMT union and train operators could ‘save the incredibly valuable festive period’ for the hospitality sector, UKHospitality has said.

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.

Britain’s licensed premises drop below 100,000 for the first time in 20 years

30-Oct-2023 By Restaurant

New figures from hospitality trade body UKHospitality show that Britain’s number of licensed premises has fallen by nearly a third (31%) in the past two decades.

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.

‘Surprise’ increase in hospitality vacancies prompts call for action

17-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality vacancies are on the rise again following five months of consecutive decreases.

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.

Hospitality leaders urge rail unions to avoid Christmas strikes

02-Oct-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Some of the UK’s largest hospitality businesses have signed an open letter penned by UKHospitality urging the rail unions to avoid strikes over the ‘crucial’ Christmas period.

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.

Scottish Government called on to introduce five-night maximum visitor levy

15-Sep-2023 By Restaurant

Politicians have been urged to agree a cap on the number of nights a visitor levy can be charged to avoid falling levels of tourism in Scotland.

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.

UKHospitality: ‘It's near impossible for venues to keep up with the cost of doing business’

08-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that the rate of inflation means it’s 'near impossible' for operators to keep up with the cost of doing business.

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’.