UK | Following the Labour Party's landslide victory at the 2024 general election, UKHospitality is expecting to see progress within the sector.
UKHospitality Chief Executive, Kate Nicholls said the election was dubbed the change election, and there has been quite a change. She added that it was impossible not to recognise that this new Labour government, with a significant majority, represents a major shift for the country and hospitality.
"A new Prime Minister, with a large mandate, will begin appointing his Cabinet and our relentless work campaigning on your behalf steps up a notch, once again, to ensure that we capitalise fully on the opportunities a fresh new government can bring."
UKHospitality has fostered a strong relationship with the Labour Party for many years now, which has included engaging in detailed policy discussions with senior party figures who are now in the cabinet. Incoming Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the UKHospitality summer conference in a video recently as well, where he recognised the importance of the hospitality sector as one that creates places where people want to live, work, and invest.
That recognition extended into policy commitments, as UKHospitality secured two key pledges in the Labour Party manifesto.
"We were delighted to see a promise to replace the broken business rates system and reduce the burden on hospitality businesses, which pay three times their fair share of rates as a proportion of turnover."
The second commitment was to reform the Apprenticeship Levy, which would introduce more flexibility and, through the planned growth and skills levy, transform the industry's ability to invest in skills.
Following the election, Nicholls said that it was so important for the new government to back hospitality, and that with the right support, the sector could grow by six percent each year for the next five years, which would create half a million jobs.
As the economy has indicated, showing signs of improvement and confidence among consumers on the rise, the hospitality sector can help the country get back on the road to economic recovery.
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