Campaign reply - Will you support the hospitality businesses in your constituency?

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about  the recovery of the hospitality sector.

 

Like you, I am proud that the UK has one of the most dynamic and diverse hospitality sectors globally. But for a sector that exists to bring people together, the impact of Covid-19 was always going to be considerable and that is why the Government introduced its first ever Hospitality Strategy last year which enables the sector to build back better.

 

The Strategy focussed on reopening, recovery and resilience with an additional £5 billion worth of grants. Ministers have been  working with the Government-owned British Business Bank and its delivery partners to support access to finance, while working alongside the Hospitality Sector Council, comprising businesses, sector representatives and industry leaders, to oversee the strategy’s delivery.

 

Following a review, the Government will reduce the burden of business rates in England by over £7 billion over the next five years, and make the system fairer, more responsive and more supportive of investment. Up to 400,000 retail, hospitality and leisure properties will be eligible for a new, temporary £1.7 billion of business rates relief this year. This will provide support until the next revaluation, helping the businesses that make UK high streets and town centres successful evolve and adapt to changing consumer demands.

 

Further, the Government is committed to exploring vocational training options, raising the profile of skills and careers in hospitality, and improving digital and management skills in the workforce. This will make the industry resilient and sustainable in the long term. The Department for Education has also added hospitality and catering qualifications to the Free Courses for Jobs, as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee. Additionally, employer-led apprenticeship funding is being increased to £2.7 billion by 2024-25, and the £3,000 incentive payment for every apprentice a business hired was extended until 31 January 2022

 

This vision comes on top of the continued support for businesses through the Government’s unprecedented £400 billion package of economic support. A further £700 million was provided to the hospitality and leisure sectors in England for one-off grants of up to £6,000 to support them from the Omicron variant.

 

I also recognise the impact of rising energy prices on businesses. I understand that both Government and Ofgem are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers to understand the challenges they face, and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses. I know that the Government’s priority is to ensure costs are managed and energy supplies maintained.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.