Sunday 8th Oct, 3.30pm, Labour Party Conference. I’ve engaged and listened to operators. Had feedback and support from Trade Bodies. My 5 point plan will save Hospitality. If Labour really want to save the UKs 5th biggest sector, this is the plan they need to commit to.

Next week many Hospitality businesses will see energy bills increase by up to 90%. Ofgem have failed us all. Useless. The big energy firms have used us as cash cows and need holding to account. The Gov't mechanism to balance this out, should be REDUCE VAT to 10%.

UK Hospitality urgently needs to be brought in line with the rest of Europe. We pay 20% VAT. Belgium 6% Holland 9% France 10% Sweden 10% Spain 12% Greece 13% It would save businesses, jobs and attract investment.

This single intervention would help the whole sector across the UK. It would save businesses, it would save and create jobs. Thank you @Tobias_Ellwood for standing up and speaking out.

It’s been confirmed this morning, that restaurant insolvencies are now higher than during the pandemic. This is the tip of the iceberg, as the quieter months of Jan/Feb/March could be the highest ever on record. Sadly, this means huge job losses and damage to the supply chain.