UKHospitality

If business costs were reduced, how would you reinvest? Our members say: 70% would refurbish sites, 40% would create jobs, 27% would open new sites. Lower costs means more growth, jobs and opportunity. This is clear evidence why the Government should reduce hospitality’s cost burden. Learn more about the survey results 👇 ukhospitality.org.uk/april-cost-inc…

Opposition to a holiday tax continues to grow, with the CBI also calling for the Government to #StopTheHolidayTax. It says it will hit holidaymakers, drive inflation and increase red tape. It’s the wrong policy at the worst time. Read the full article here 👉 thesun.co.uk/travel/3879914…

In Parliament @HuddlestonNigel spoke on the positive role of tourism and hospitality. “It brings joy to millions of people - domestic and overseas visitors - every year, generates more than £147 in economic activity.” Govt must support the sector, not burden it with more taxes.

In Parliament, @RachelGilmourLD called for any future levy to be ring fenced for the visitor economy.   “Visitor spending does not stop at the hotel door, it sustains pubs, shops, attractions and transport.”   Tourism supports high streets, infrastructure and impacts local jobs.

Thank you to @APPGHandT Chair @ChrisWebbMP for calling for a reduction of hospitality and tourism VAT.   “While many of those countries have visitor levies, they are paired with lower VAT rates, making their overall offer more competitive.”   The levy would increase taxes again.

Thank you @DamianHinds for highlighting the holiday tax as worsening our international competitiveness.   “We score very highly on international competitiveness of attractive, we score 113th out of 119 for price comparative.”   We must protect the UK’s tourism export.

“Last year more than 2,000 hospitality workers in Northern Ireland lost their jobs.”   Thank you @mikejwood for highlighting hospitality job losses in Northern Ireland linked to NICs changes.   Hospitality is the most accessible entry point into work.   We must protect these jobs.

In Parliament, @EmmaLewell raised the tax burden on the sector and the impact on low-income visitors.   “It is one burden too many for us, and it will result in job losses and more boarded-up businesses in the centre of my town.”   This tax will price many families out of holidays and harm communities.

Thank you @EmmaLewell for raising the impact of the holiday tax on employment and community regeneration. “That tax seems at odds with the Goverment’s aims for growth, youth employment and reviving local economies like mine.” Govt must reduce business costs to protect jobs.

Thank you @_RobbieMoore for highlighting how the holiday tax will hit British families.   “It is another tax on British people, which could cost an average family going on holiday in England a rise of about an extra £100,”   The Govt must stop the holiday tax.

“Our pubs, restaurants, cafes and hotels are unable to absorb any more cost." The cost increases hitting hospitality this month will once again hit jobs and threaten business viability. @UKHospKate, our Chair, speaks to the Guardian: theguardian.com/business/2026/…

Thank you @PeterTFortune for speaking out against the Govt’s holiday tax.   “By introducing this levy the Government are making a very difficult situation worse.”   The holiday tax is another tax on the hospitality sector.   The sector can no longer absorb anymore additional costs.

Thank you @JulianSmithUK to calling on the Govt to pause the holiday tax.   “Entrepreneurs in the tourist industry are on their knees”   The cumulative tax burden on the hospitality sector means this added tax will impact job security, high street spending and business confidence.

Thank you @SteveDarlingMP for raising the UK’s uniquely high VAT rate.   “United Kingdom tourists face a VAT rate of 20% on their spend, whereas in Germany it is only 7% and in Spain, France and Italy it is 10%.”   A holiday tax is the wrong policy and at the wrong time.

"This is a UK tax on UK families going on UK holidays."   A holiday tax is the wrong policy at the worst time. Jon Hendry Pickup, CEO of @Butlins, spoke to @GMB about why the Government should #StopTheHolidayTax.

“Business rates are a block and a barrier on investment.” @leondthompson from @ukhscotland gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament on rates. All parties must commit to reforming the broken business rates system and introduce a permanently lower poundage for hospitality.

“We still have the cost of doing business still too high.” @UKHospKate, our Chair, spoke to @LBC about the high rate of closures in hospitality and the need for Government to reduce the sector’s tax burden.

Thank you @MP4Stratford for highlighting the cost burden on businesses.   “pubs, cafés, arts venues, restaurants and hotels are telling me that they are being squeezed from every direction”   We need a sector-wide solution on rates and a reduction in the cost of doing business.

“It is not acceptable to balance the books on the backs of high street businesses.” More cost increases have hit hospitality businesses this month. Our member survey reveals that it will increase job losses and business closures. Read more in the Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/…

Thank you @GideonJAmos for calling for wider business rates relief for hospitality businesses.   Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and we must protect the entire high street.   A hospitality wide solution is needed for a hospitality wide problem.