UKH: hospitality output could grow by 5.5% in next three years

20-Nov-2019 - Last updated on 20-Nov-2019 at 10:42 GMT

Pushing forward: UKH boss Kate Nicholls calls on the Government to help the industry more

Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has said the sector has the opportunity to grow its output by 5.5%, in its Menu For Change report, that sets out what it wants from the new Government.

The document highlights how UKH thinks the number of jobs in the trade could be increased by 500,000 within a decade, including 30,000 apprenticeships by 2025, and to continue to act as focal points and social hubs for communities – acting as a linchpin for regeneration and infrastructure projects as well as increasing inward investment.

The manifesto calls on the Government to unlock the hospitality sector’s economic growth by rebalancing the business tax burden in a bid to reflect the modern digital economy by reforming the business rates system.

It also asks to double the employer national insurance contributions thresholds as well as delivering on the Tourism Sector Deal and supporting tourism enterprise zones to help unlock the potential of the sector as an employer and incentivise infrastructure investment.

Crucial to tourism

UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Hospitality businesses are integral to almost every community in the UK.

“Pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels, nightclubs and more are features of villages, towns and city centres in every region.

“These businesses provide jobs and investment. They are also at the centre of our social lives. These are the places we spend leisure time with our family and friends.

“The sector employs more than 3.2m people and generates over £130bn in turnover every year. We are the third largest private sector employer in the country. Hospitality is crucial to tourism, high streets, seaside towns and communities. We underpin investment and regeneration and we help attract inward investment and export earnings.”

Future ambitions

She added: “We can do so much more though – if we are given the right kind of support from the Government. Our ambition is to grow hospitality output by 5.5% over the next three years, which would outstrip the high street and the economy as a whole.

“Hospitality can provide even more jobs and chances to grow in fantastic, rewarding careers in an industry that provides opportunities at every skill level, regardless of background, qualifications or skill level.

“We have a chance to do so if the future Government listens to what we need and acts positively to support a sector that makes a difference everywhere it flourishes.”