Hospitality Sector 2025-09-03

Supports the motion and emphasises the opportunity provided by the hospitality sector to people coming into or returning to the labour market.

Argues that under the Tories, a pub closed every 14 hours. He criticises the Conservative party for not being trusted with the economy.

Highlights over 1,000 pubs and restaurants closing since the autumn Budget, leading to 84,000 hospitality workers losing their jobs. She emphasises that the Government needs to stop holding the hospitality sector responsible for local economy issues.

Notes that businesses are reducing man-hours due to taxes, impacting the growth of the country. He agrees with his hon. Friend's comments on the toxic concoction of legislation and tax.

Agrees that unless the Government start listening to concerns about job losses in hospitality, businesses will go over a cliff edge. He highlights the impact of policies on tourism.

Acknowledges the issue with employer National Insurance contributions but attributes much of the blame to Brexit's immigration policy affecting recruitment in highland hoteliers.

Raises concerns about tax increases and VAT cuts impacting hospitality businesses negatively, citing her personal experience in the sector.

Celebrates a reopened pub in her constituency as an example of successful business reopening under current policies. Acknowledges the community ownership fund's role but notes its loss under the current government.

Welcomed the Employment Rights Bill and expressed excitement about it.

Agreed with support for foreign investment in the UK. Emphasised that the Government has taken necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix public finances. Pointed out that the hospitality sector consists predominantly of smaller businesses and that the employment allowance was increased from £5,000 to £10,500 to protect small employers.

Welcomed the increase in national insurance contributions and improvements in workers’ rights as they are good for employees, businesses, and customers. Criticised Tories for racing to the bottom instead of giving workers a leg up.

Supported increases in national minimum wage to ensure people can put food on the table, pay mortgages, and give children opportunities. Cited previous support for introducing the national minimum wage. Rejected claims that increased taxes would harm the hospitality sector.

Criticised Government's actions towards hospitality businesses as detrimental to job creation and economic growth.

Rejected claims of taxing hospitality out of existence. Emphasised that the previous approach led to increased mortgage rates, making it difficult for people to survive economically. Rejected suggestion that bar staff should police inappropriate comments on social media.

Questioned whether it is a good idea for bar staff to police public house users' comments, suggesting this would divert police resources from more pressing issues.

Defended changes to employment conditions for bar staff while acknowledging concerns about diversion of police resources. Emphasised the importance and diversity of UK hospitality industry.

Highlighted that in Stratford-upon-Avon, hospitality is crucial for the visitor economy and every closure affects jobs, high streets, and community life.

Agreed with Perteghella's point about hospitality being vital to the visitor economy. Emphasised interconnectedness of hospitality, tourism, and creative industries in Stratford-upon-Avon and across UK.

Asked Minister to consider reducing VAT for hospitality sector as it may increase tax revenue. Highlighted importance of island tourism.

Rejected calls for specific VAT cuts, citing Chancellor's responsibility and need for broad economic considerations. Emphasised the importance of addressing challenges in coastal areas and islands through tourism strategy.

Supported Government’s backing for 2029 world athletics championship bid in London's Stratford and Bow. Asked how visitor economy growth strategy will spread tourism beyond London to benefit all regions.

Announced target of reaching 50 million international visitors by 2030, emphasising need for balanced distribution of accommodation across UK. Discussed challenges like short-term lets and seasonal variations in tourist visits.

Asked if the Government plans to introduce a tourism tax, citing examples from other regions like Manchester, Scotland, and Wales.

Highlighted the significant contribution of hospitality in Scotland and criticised national insurance contributions for reducing staff numbers and opening hours in venues. Emphasised that 200,000 jobs depend on this sector.

Criticised the Government's policies as exacerbating challenges in the hospitality sector due to unfair taxes and soaring energy bills. Urged for exemptions for hospitality businesses from national insurance increases.

Shared a letter from an independent coffee shop manager highlighting difficulties in hiring new staff and increasing business costs due to recent policies. Advocated for the Chancellor to meet with such businesses before finalizing the Budget.

Concurred that cutting hours disproportionately affects part-time workers, particularly those who work flexibly due to caring responsibilities or other demands. Criticised the impact of national insurance increases on social mobility.

The hospitality sector faces significant challenges due to staff shortages, higher energy costs, and an outdated business rates system. The Liberal Democrats propose a youth mobility scheme, increased apprenticeships, investment in skills training, energy market reform, and fairer business rate reforms.

Acknowledges the challenges faced by hospitality businesses, particularly regarding high energy costs and lack of business rates relief in Scotland. Emphasises the need for government action to support these businesses.

Highlights visits to multiple small hospitality businesses during a summer roadshow, emphasising their importance to communities. Supports the Government's efforts in addressing business rates, simplifying licensing, expanding access to start-up loans, and cutting red tape.

Supports his party's position on economic stability and challenges opposition parties for ignoring contributions made during their time in government. Emphasises the need for positive measures to support local hospitality businesses.

Acknowledges the importance of the hospitality industry in every community and its current challenges, calling for timely actions to support it.

The hospitality industry is vital in Bridlington and Hornsea, with millions of visitors annually. Local businesses face serious pressure due to the Employment Rights Bill, national insurance contributions, and VAT rates that squeeze profits despite successful operations.

Bournemouth's hospitality sector generates £162.8 million in revenue and employs 3,700 people across 30 venues. The industry is a critical community space that brings people together and creates social infrastructure. Labour aims to support this vital sector by addressing its challenges.

Plymouth's hospitality businesses, especially pubs, are important community spaces. The previous Conservative Government’s mismanagement during the pandemic has left a lasting impact on these communities. Labour is committed to supporting coastal and hospitality sectors.

Local businesses in Bracklesham, Chichester, are facing challenges due to increased taxes and business rates, hindering their ability to drive growth. The Government's policies hamper these efforts.

The hon. Member for Falkirk supports the measures introduced by the Government, particularly those that will benefit his constituents if Scotland votes next year for a Scottish Labour Government.

The hon. Member for North West Norfolk criticises the impact of increased national insurance rates and business rates on hospitality businesses, highlighting job losses and decreased business confidence. He calls for relief measures such as a higher rateable value threshold and protection from zero-hours contracts.

The hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield highlights the positive impact of Labour's policies on business confidence, citing examples like increased headcount plans among firms and rising consumer confidence. He supports day-one workplace protections and improved rights for hospitality workers.

The hon. Member for Melksham and Devizes emphasises the role of village pubs in rural communities, highlighting their importance as social hubs that contribute to mental health and community well-being.

The hon. Member supported the importance of pubs in communities, questioning whether the measures announced by the Deputy Prime Minister would help community pub schemes.

Acknowledged but disagreed with the need for more than just supportive measures from the Government to preserve rural life and stressed that profitable businesses contribute taxes whereas closed ones do not.

The hon. Member criticised the Conservative motion, arguing it neglects support for young workers by opposing Labour's Employment Rights Bill which aims to protect employees from unfair dismissal and zero-hours contract exploitation.

Supported his colleague’s stance that fair employment rights would benefit both workers and businesses, highlighting the importance of levelling the playing field for good employers.

The hon. Member argued against Labour's Employment Rights Bill, citing potential costs to businesses which could lead to job cuts, especially affecting young workers.

The hospitality businesses in Gedling are crucial for the community and local economy, providing livelihoods and supporting families. Mr Payne highlights specific examples of small businesses that he has met with and their contributions to the community. He criticises previous Conservative policies and supports Labour's business rate relief measures, employment growth, and economic support initiatives.

Agrees with Michael Payne on the importance of small hospitality businesses beyond their economic value, citing a local pub in his constituency that supports an inclusive basketball team and raises significant funds for charity. He congratulates the Golden Smog pub.

The hospitality sector is vital to Cheshire's economy, contributing jobs and revenue but currently facing higher taxes and regulations under current policies. She cites local business owners expressing concerns about the impact of recent budget measures on their ability to create new jobs and maintain operations.

Amos highlighted the struggles faced by hospitality businesses due to unsustainable policy effects, such as significant increases in business rates. He cited examples of a pub paying double its lease costs in business rates and an iconic hotel facing a £30,000 increase in annual rates. Amos emphasised the need for fair taxes and investment in public services like policing, which are crucial for business confidence.

Gordon supported hospitality businesses facing risks by reopening closed pubs through projects like Jeopardy Hospitality. He called for help for these efforts rather than penalties, agreeing with Amos's points on fair treatment.

Morris discussed the importance of hospitality businesses in his large constituency and highlighted challenges such as poor investment in road infrastructure and public transport, impacting worker access. He mentioned the role of pubs in defining communities and urged for better communication from local councils regarding road resurfacing to avoid business losses.

Mr. Wood emphasised the importance of hospitality to local economies, highlighting support from previous Conservative governments such as scrapping Labour’s beer duty escalator, implementing business rate relief for hospitality businesses, and providing pandemic support. He noted that despite this support, many businesses are still struggling due to increased taxes and higher costs under the current government's policies. He cited statistics indicating eight in 10 operators have been forced to raise their prices since April, with 69% of businesses running below required capacity. Mr. Wood called for reforms such as fixing national insurance contributions by raising the threshold, introducing exemptions for young people and returners to work, and reconsidering plans to add further burdens on small businesses next year.

Ms. Hopkins acknowledged the hospitality sector’s contribution as the third-largest employer in the country and highlighted local venues such as restaurants, cafés, pubs, hotels, and high streets. She noted support for a private Member’s Bill to regulate fireworks use more strictly. She also praised her government's investment in expanding London Luton airport and approving plans for Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire. Ms. Hopkins emphasised the Labour Government’s commitment to revitalising high streets through permanent cuts in business rates, tackling late payments, banning upward-only rent review clauses, and expanding start-up loans.

Mr. Fortune highlighted the hospitality sector's struggles due to Labour’s tax hikes, particularly the increase in employer’s national insurance contributions and reduction of business rates relief for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses. He cited a local independent pub's added £20,000 to its tax bill as an example. Mr. Fortune noted that these policies are exacerbating inflation and increasing costs, leading to job losses and closing of local businesses. He called on the government to change course before high streets become shuttered.

Mr. Stainbank highlighted his personal experience in the hospitality sector, noting it is a hard but rewarding job. He criticised the opposition's motion for treating hospitality as a secondary occupation and called out its proposal to amend the Employment Rights Bill to protect seasonal and flexible employment practices.

The hospitality sector is struggling due to beer duty and national insurance increases, which are putting venues under strain. Dale and Holly's 'Great British Pub Crawl' highlights the importance of pubs in communities and their current challenges.

Businesses in Scotland are facing more fundamental issues than national insurance increases, such as business rates, planning processes, and the closure of hospitality businesses at twice the rate compared to other regions. The sector needs certainty and improvements in planning.

The Government's actions are harming the hospitality sector by slashing rates relief, increasing employer national insurance contributions, and pushing damaging employment Bills through Parliament. This has led to job losses and businesses struggling to stay afloat.

It does not have to be this way. If the Government would only listen to industry experts such as UKHospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association, or to brewers such as Punch Pubs and Everards, we could actually help the industry rather than hinder it. I urge the Government to act boldly and continue to cut business rate reliefs for the hospitality sector, reduce duty on draught beer and lower VAT on products sold in hospitality settings, just as many of our European neighbours do.

The Employment Rights Bill is written with the hospitality sector in mind. The extension of day one rights is a policy tailor-made for the hospitality sector; as 50% of all hospitality workers do not have two years’ service, they can be hired and fired at will. We will ban zero-hours contracts that affect 18% of hospitality workers and ensure sick pay entitlements for those earning below the lower earnings limit.

The hospitality sector is incredibly important, employing around 2,000 people in his constituency. It is fundamental to employment and tourism which brings export earnings. The Employment Rights Bill should reflect the needs of part-time workers who have suffered from increased business rates and national insurance contributions.

In his constituency, hospitality businesses are thriving despite challenges. He is proud of the Government’s Employment Rights Bill which supports fair wages and employment rights for hospitality workers.

The hospitality sector is overlooked although it is a vital employer offering skills to young people entering the workforce. The local pub is crucial not just as a place to eat or drink but also as a community space and first step into employment.

Welcomes government support for hospitality and highlights local success stories in Monmouthshire. Advocates for cutting tax on pints and easing red tape.

Expresses concern over increased costs and business rates, highlighting the vital role of hospitality in tourism and community life. Calls out Labour for ignoring the issues faced by the sector.

Supports government measures to reduce business rates and tackle late payments, while highlighting past failures under previous administrations.

Critiques Labour policies for causing financial strain on pubs, leading to potential closures. Raises concerns over council tax increases impacting local businesses.

He expressed concern over the impact of increased overheads on pubs in his constituency, particularly from the employers’ national insurance increase. He mentioned that these measures are hurting young people who want to start working and making it difficult for hospitality sector to recruit young individuals.

She argued against the Conservative claims, highlighting the importance of the hospitality sector and its support by the Labour Government. She mentioned new initiatives like cutting red tape, supporting al fresco dining, permanently lower business rates for hospitality in 2026, and a strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises.

He criticised the Labour Government's policies, highlighting the closure of pubs due to high taxes and operational costs. He announced that four pubs in his constituency had closed since May, and he argued for more support from local authorities.

She suggested extending the pubs code by introducing a guest beer agreement to help the pub industry thrive. She also questioned whether Lucy Minns would agree with nationalisation of pubs, which was a historical feature in Carlisle.

He reiterated his criticism against Labour's policies and highlighted local examples like Borelli’s Wine Bar and Grill struggling under the current economic conditions.

He discussed the negative impact of increased employer national insurance contributions on hospitality businesses in Scotland. He also mentioned that the SNP was not passing on funds for business rate relief and criticised their multiple unit pricing alcohol regime.

She spoke about her personal experience working in hospitality and its importance to communities. She highlighted the high number of job losses since the Budget due to increased costs and uncertain revaluations.

Expressed concerns about tax changes affecting hospitality businesses, highlighting specific examples of increased costs and job losses. Emphasised the need for government support to prevent further closures and investment cuts.

Described the significant economic value of the hospitality sector in Wales, noting a reduction in Gross Value Added due to changes in business property relief. Mentioned job losses and impacts on family-run businesses. Called for rethinking increases to employer’s national insurance contributions.

Stressed the importance of hospitality to local communities, highlighting specific local business examples. Criticised Labour's tax policies as detrimental to job creation and employment opportunities in his constituency.

Inquired about the impact of Labour’s tax policy on job losses in Stockton West and supported Matt Vickers' speech by providing additional statistics.

Discussed the economic importance of hospitality to Edinburgh, mentioning its contribution to £400 million annually. Criticised Conservative policy as exacerbating long-standing issues faced by businesses and families dependent on them.

Arthur supported his colleague's concerns about the government policies but wanted to address another part of the motion. He discussed the importance of hospitality businesses in communities and mentioned local examples where small independent businesses were facing job losses.

Darling, who grew up in a guest house in Torquay, spoke about the economic impact of national insurance hikes on hospitality jobs. He highlighted that there are 84,000 fewer jobs and a quarter fewer vacancies in Devon and Cornwall due to these policies.

Jarvis provided detailed examples from Eastleigh where local businesses were struggling with increased payroll burdens. She mentioned how national insurance hikes have led to reduced hiring capacity for small breweries and other hospitality venues.

Emphasised the Conservative government's support for the sector during the pandemic, including measures like the furlough scheme, VAT reduction on tourism, culture recovery fund, and sport survival fund.

Highlighted that the hospitality sector is almost completely absent from the Government’s industrial strategy despite its importance.

Stressed the need to talk to industry and then credibly to the Treasury, with statistics and information. Believes that DCMS is not doing this effectively.

Invited everyone for a pint, suggesting hospitality sector support.

Did not provide specific position in the provided text but mentioned as having invited to drinks previously.

Critiques the opposition's lack of strategy for supporting the hospitality sector and calls on the House to reject a motion related to this issue.

Raises a point of order regarding the Prime Minister’s incorrect statement about the First Minister of Scotland welcoming an investment deal in the defence sector. Points out that the First Minister did welcome the announcement, indicating a falsehood from the Prime Minister.