Hospitality Strategy marks ‘substantial progress’

Kevin Hollinrake, minister for enterprise markets and small businesses, unveiled the update at the UKH Workforce and Skills Conference.

The strategy, developed with businesses across the sector, was published in 2021. It set out the Government’s proposed approach to helping hospitality bounce back from the pandemic, and looked at reopening, recovery and resilience.

“Hospitality, in all its variety, is at the heart of who we are as a nation. Whether it’s baltis from Birmingham, haggis from Hamilton or fish and chips from Whitby in my native Yorkshire, the best of Britain – our warmth, energy, and vibrancy – can be found in our pubs, clubs, cafes, and restaurants,” said Hollinrake.

Wake up call

Speaking at the conference, he said losing hospitality to the pandemic had been a “massive wake up call” in what were “bleak and incredibly frustrating” days, and so it was right the Government provided support. However, he added, the sector’s recovery had been hampered by the Ukraine war.

He said Government was “delivering results”. The sector was often undervalued, despite offering jobs that were not low skilled, despite being accessible. It was also a misconception that hospitality did not provide career progression opportunities, he added.

“If people can see the potential for a rich and rewarding career in hospitality, then they will come,” said Hollinrake. If employees can see a clear pathway, and if their wellbeing is nurtured, they will be more likely to stay, he continued.

UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The Hospitality Strategy was a seismic shift in the way Government sees hospitality, as was the development of a minister with specific responsibility for the sector.

“This update shows the substantial progress that has already been made in the sector’s recovery and towards a more resilient future, despite the massive external shocks we have faced."

The report celebrated the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which it stated protected businesses from rising costs over winter by providing a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for non-domestic customers. Its successor, the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, will give businesses certainty over the coming months, the report added.

Working together

The Hospitality Sector Council has also been created. It works with Government to deliver the Hospitality Strategy, with a focus on developing industry-led initiatives to support long term growth, such as Hospitality Rising.

Nicholls said the work following the publication of the strategy showed the clear value in Government working together with industry on key issues, but there was still more to do to meet mutual objectives.

“Action from the Chancellor in the Budget this month can help support those objectives," she continued, "particularly across workforce, energy resilience and access to finance.

"Intervention in the energy market, reform of the Apprenticeship Levy and greater flexibility around debt repayments would greatly benefit hospitality businesses, allowing them to accelerate growth and create even more job opportunities.”

As part of the new Department for Business and Trade, Hollinrake said he would look to work with the industry to increase opportunities abroad. This would look like reaching out to international markets and investors given the demand for British goods and services.

During National Apprenticeship week, Government also launched campaigns to show people they could progress from Level 2 apprenticeships to Level 4. There was more work to be done in ensuring apprenticeships were followed through until completion, according to the MP.