The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has prepared its own manifesto ahead of the general election on 6 May asking all political parties for their support of the hospitality industry.
Issued today, the document suggests how the BHA would like the future government to help the industry by:
- Making capital allowances better suited to new hotel development;
- Aiding the creation of Tourist Green Zones;
- Introducing a more consistent approach to funding of training and education in hospitality;
- Supporting tourism marketing;
- Taking a more practical approach to introducing nutrition and calorie information on restaurant menus;
- Reviewing the licensing laws
The manifesto also criticises the planned increase in National Insurance contributions, pointing out that the industry is a major provider of new jobs.
”[It] risks destroying many of these opportunities, raising payroll costs when, in parts of the industry, such as restaurants, they can already exceed 40 per cent of revenues,” it said.
It also pleads for the Department for Culture Media and Sport to act as a more effective communicator with other government departments when new regulations are being discussed.
"Recent years have seen a big increase in regulation and bureaucracy, which risks stifling innovation and customer service and costs small businesses too much time and money to understand and implement," it added.
You can view the BHA's full manifesto here