UK | Announcements made in the Government's budget regarding changes to apprenticeship opportunities and reduced regulation for small and medium businesses in the hospitality industry, have been supported by UKHospitality.
Many establishments across the UK have experienced a difficult past few years, with support repeatedly called on from the Government.
The recent budget outlined a programme to fully fund apprenticeship opportunites in small businesses from the 1st of April, and will pay the full cost of training for anyone up to the age of 21, as well as an investment of an additional £60 million of new government funding for 2025.
From the start of April, the government will also increase the amount of funding that employers who pay the apprenticeship levy can pass onto other businesses. Under the new measures, large employers who pay the apprenticeship levy will be able to transfer up to 50 percent of their funds to support other businesses, including smaller firms, to take on apprentices.
UKHospitality CEO, Kate Nicholls, said the people who work in hospitality are the beating heart of the sector, and are the reason it can provide quality food, drink, experiences, and services.
"Investing in people is so important, and it’s one of the reasons we see so many people progress through the sector, going from bar to board in a matter of years," said Nicholls.
She added that the changes to the apprenticeships announced by the Prime Minister were very positive, and that removing the fee for non-levy payers and expanding the definition of SME's will benefit all smaller businesses.
Nicholls said that, overall, there was much to be pleased about.
"However, the reality is that the entire apprenticeship system is structurally broken. The levy itself needs reform to allow businesses more flexibility with funding and I would urge the Government to make that a central pillar of its skills agenda."
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