Responding to the Chancellor’s pre-Budget statement, The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) chief executive Michael Kill said the public’s view of “the right thing” has sharply diverged from government action, with trust in short supply among late-night operators.
“As we approach the festive period and the oncoming local elections, one thing is clear: public perception of what is ‘right’ is increasingly out of step with the decisions coming from government and the Chancellor,” Kill said.
‘Act in the public interest’
“Blame won’t protect anyone at the polls. Budgets matter, and voters are judging leaders not on excuses, but on whether they act in the public interest.”
He added that “empty coffers, black holes in spending, and broken manifesto promises” have become a “lived reality” for hospitality businesses facing escalating costs, staffing pressures and uncertain policy direction.
The NTIA represents late-night venues, bars, nightclubs and cultural spaces, many of which continue to grapple with rising operating costs and staffing shortages. Energy prices, licensing fees and the forthcoming increase in employer national insurance contributions have compounded financial strain across the sector.
‘Political point-scoring’
Kill argued that government policy must now “align with public expectations”, with support for “venues, safety, transport and cultural investment” rather than “short-term blame or political point-scoring”.
“Our sector needs leadership that aligns with public expectations: policies that genuinely support late-night businesses, safeguard cultural venues, improve safety and transport, and provide certainty for entrepreneurs and employees,” he said.
“Shifting blame, pointing to the past, or ignoring industry or public sentiment will not protect jobs, culture, or confidence at the ballot box.”
The statement follows recent industry calls for the Chancellor to deliver targeted fiscal support for hospitality in the 26 November Budget, including business-rates reform and labour-cost relief.
Last month, the NTIA warned that continued policy uncertainty was “undermining cultural and community confidence”, echoing wider trade body pleas for action to stabilise struggling late-night venues.
