Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that hospitality has been the hardest hit sector of the economy since the Budget, accounting for nearly half (45%) of all job losses. This is an increase of 13,000 job losses in a month.

Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said:

“These devastating job losses are a direct consequence of policy decisions at last year’s Budget, which have disproportionately hit the hospitality sector.

“The change to employer NICs in particular, was socially regressive and had a disproportionate impact on entry level jobs. Without a change of tack from the Government we could be looking at even more job losses in hospitality, when we should be bringing people into the jobs market.

“We desperately need to see action at the upcoming Budget. We urge the Government to act on our asks to fix NICs, by extending the existing exemptions to include both young people and people moving from welfare to work, which will boost jobs and help to reverse this huge loss.

“We also need to see lower business rates to revive high streets, and a VAT cut on hospitality to drive investment. We have seen time and time again that our sector is extremely capable of meeting the Government’s growth and employment objectives, if given the optimal operational environment. This is why we need our asks met, before we are taxed out.”