Sector responds to policies outlined in King's Speech

The hospitality sector has welcomed several new policies outlined in the King's Speech, delivered yesterday (17 July) at the state opening of parliament. 

King Charles announced that a number of hospitality-focused bills will be brought forward over the next year, in areas concerning planning, the Apprenticeship Levy reform and employment rights.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, comments: “The next session of Parliament will be essential in kickstarting the growth needed to achieve the government’s objectives.

“It’s positive to see significant measures announced today that can help hospitality achieve its growth potential of 6% a year.

“With no mention of business rates in today’s King’s Speech, the autumn fiscal statement is now all the more important to drive the government’s plan for national renewal and to show clear progress on delivering its manifesto commitment to fix the broken business rates system. Particularly as businesses are facing an end to 75% rate relief next April if action isn’t taken.”

The BII reacts

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has embraced the government's focus on economic growth. The introduction of the Skills England Bill, and specifically the reform of the Apprenticeship Levy, will allow for greater flexibility in the allocation of training resources, which could be key to unlocking opportunities for all, notes the BII. 

The organisation also welcomes the government's intention to "seek a new partnership with both business and working people". With members already facing tough trading challenges, further burdens through additional costs and changes to employment conditions could force businesses to reduce staffing levels and therefore further limit the sector's growth potential. 

Steve Alton, CEO of the BII, comments: "The new government's intentions to remove red tape and bureaucracy from our planning system, as well as reform the Apprenticeship Levy to allow for a more flexible approach to development in our teams, are hugely welcome steps. 

"Our members already recognise the importance of fair wages, but we must impress on the government the need for support and investment in their small, essential businesses at the heart of communities to be able to afford this. 

"With no mention of the extension of the Business Rates relief due to end in March 2025, they now need an assurance that this will be continued until a full reform of the outdated system has been actioned. We also need an overall rebalancing of the unfair taxation of our bricks and mortar businesses, to allow them to invest and grow. 

"We look forward to working closely with the government, taking the challenges and voices of our members directly to those in power, helping to create an environment where our pubs and teams can thrive in the heart of their communities."

Detailed information from the government on the bills announced can be read here.

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