House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Hospitality Sector: Employment 2026-07-02

Thursday 2 July 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

John Glen questioned the Minister about employment trends in the hospitality sector, noting a 25 percent drop in temporary work last summer and a 73 percent increase in employer national insurance contributions.
The Minister reported that the hospitality sector supported about 2.1 million jobs last year, representing around 6 percent of total employment.
The Minister highlighted initiatives such as new hospitality apprenticeships and a youth jobs grant to support employment in the sector.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Glen Con Salisbury

Economy Employment

Context

The question is prompted by concerns about employment trends and the economic impact of national insurance changes on part-time workers in the hospitality sector. John Glen mentions a 25% drop in temporary work last summer and an increase in employer national insurance contributions.

Question

What assessment has been made of trends in employment levels in the hospitality sector? Last summer there was a 25% drop in temporary work, and part-time jobs for young workers are not there at the moment. The cost of employer national insurance contributions increased by 73%. Hospitality is critical to Salisbury as we move towards our 800-year celebration next year.

Answer from Kate Dearden

The hospitality sector supported around 2.1 million jobs last year, or around 6% of total employment. Employment has grown by over 18% in the past decade. We support jobs through skills investment, including new hospitality apprenticeships and incentives for SMEs to recruit young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specific issues of temporary work drop or national insurance contributions increase for part-time workers.

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Q2 John Glen Con Salisbury

Taxation Employment

Context

The question is prompted by concerns about the impact of recent national insurance changes on part-time workers in the hospitality sector, particularly noting a 25% drop in temporary work and a significant increase in employer national insurance contributions.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer. Hospitality is critical to Salisbury as we move towards our 800-year celebration next year. Last summer there was a 25% drop in temporary work, and the cost of employer national insurance contributions increased by 73%. Part-time jobs for the youngest workers are not there at the moment. Something significant needs to change in Government's approach.