UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “While the Chancellor was clearly focused today on digital technology, green industries and life sciences, it is important to recognise that hospitality can equally be a key driver of economic growth, playing an integral part of the everyday economy. Just recently, hospitality was credited for the unexpected growth we saw in November, bucking the long-term trend, and with the right support and investment it can deliver those results consistently. We can drive the economy forward and help put the brakes on inflation.
“Staffing is critical to that and the Chancellor was right to mention the need to get the economically inactive back into work. Hospitality has, literally, thousands of jobs available and a fantastic track record of creating careers – whether that’s an apprenticeship, a career change, or an opportunity to get back into work later in life.
“There will always be new and emerging areas of the economy but the Government would do well to recognise that established sectors, like hospitality, are the ones that will pull the nation forward. We have the determination to overcome challenges, the innovation to embrace new trends and the capacity to offer jobs to so many. I hope it recognises that when delivering its plan for growth.”
