Hospitality job vacancies rise to 171,000

The number of job vacancies in the UK accommodation and foodservice sector rose to 171,000 between February and April 2022, new figures show.

This marks an increase on the 165,000 empty job roles reported in the industry between January and March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The ONS data showed the extent of the staffing crisis now facing the sector in that there are now fewer unemployed people than job vacancies across the wider UK economy for the first time since records began.

The unemployment rate for January to March 2022 dropped to 3.7%, while the number of overall job vacancies between February and April rose to a new record high of 1.29m.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: "Today's figures confirmed what we already knew, that hospitality is grappling with an unprecedented shortage of employees. We have 170,000 roles to fill, driving a huge 14.5% increase in staff costs, just as the sector faces rising food and drink costs.

"Alongside massive increases to energy bills, rent and business rate rises, plus the return last month to 20% VAT – which wasn't even a factor in [the] January to March figures – and it's clear that hospitality's cost of doing business is higher than that of most other industries. We're urging the government to do all it can to help an already shattered sector get back on its feet."

Staffing has continued to set back hospitality's recovery, with nearly one in 10 roles remaining vacant, according to CGA and Fourth's Business Leaders Survey released in April.

Operators have been boosting perks and bonuses offered to staff to help recruitment, including help with the cost of housing, free gym membership and food and drinks.

Last week The Caterer heard how staff shortages have forced the six-strong La Campagna restaurant group in the south-west of England to stop serving food at one of its sites.

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