BISL calls for one minister to represent leisure industry
The state of the UK leisure industry: a driver for growth report highlights how the sector “is too important to remain undefined, under-represented, and misunderstood by the Government”.
Based on research by Oliver Wyman, the report shows that, out of the £117bn of revenue generated by the leisure industry in 2010, pubs and nightlife represented £23bn of that.
BISL believes that the industry is over-taxed and over-regulated, and has made a range of recommendations to the Government aimed at changing the “narrative and political environment” of a sector that is a “key contributor to the nation and its economy”.
BISL believes the ideal minister to speak for the industry is the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, currently Jeremy Hunt.
This would mean leisure can be on a similar footing in Government to departments such as defence, health and transport.
It supports the British Hospitality Association campaign to reduce VAT on visitor attractions and hotels to 5% by 2014 but has also called on the Government “to begin a longer-term examination of a reduced VAT rate for meals at pubs and restaurants”.
BISL would also like to see three to five years between operator licensing renewals (where they are required) and policy reviews by licensing authorities unless there is cause for concern.
Simon Johnson, chief executive of BISL, said: “Leisure is one of the biggest industries and we believe the Cabinet needs somebody at the table to represent it. It would make sense for it to be the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport.”
On VAT, he added: “The approach to taxation and regulation at the moment is one of control, not of growth and expansion. We have to take a prudent approach to this because we recognise that VAT is a huge debate and it is difficult for the Government to move quickly on this.
“Therefore, we are looking at a long-term examination on meals in pubs and restaurants. We are calling on the Government to work with us and the industry on this.”
Commenting on the new report, British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “This is a valuable report with strong policy proposals. It reflects growing support for moves that support pubs and hospitality, in particular lowering VAT, and widespread awareness at just how vital tourism and hospitality will be in boosting our economy and providing new jobs, especially for young people.”
