In last week’s column, I mentioned a debate I recently attended on the hospitality sector. This felt like an important debate to be part of for several of reasons. Hospitality is a major contributor to the UK’s economy and jobs, which makes the government’s decision to omit it as a growth area from its recent industrial strategy all the more baffling. In East Hampshire alone, hospitality accounts for about 200 outlets, employing approximately 2,000 people. The sector has just withstood two very big blows. First, the cut in business rates relief has increased the fixed cost of businesses even before a pint has been poured. Second, the enormous increase in national insurance (NI) contributions has further strained operations.
