Minister for hospitality debate today: what to expect

Parliament is due to debate creating the position of a minister for hospitality this afternoon after a petition received more than 200,000 signatures and industry heavyweights got behind the campaign.

The debate is set to take place at 4.30pm today but a vote is not expected. It is understood that at the end of the debate a government minister will respond to the petition.

The role has been presented as the opportunity for the industry to be properly recognised in the corridors of power as the jobs juggernaut and significant wealth creator that it is.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has described it as "an open goal for us to hammer home the importance of hospitality and ensure that we are totally at the forefront of Parliament's mind".

Home Grown Hotels chairman and chief executive Robin Hutson has championed the petition, and said the sector needs to "galvanise our common values and lobby with clarity behind a single voice outside of Westminster".