UKHospitality calls on operators to send message to government ahead of Budget

Trade body UKHospitality is calling on operators to lend their support to the #HospitalityMatters campaign to secure further vital support for businesses in next month's Budget by posting videos on social media and writing to their MP.

In a series of testimonials, representatives from leading hospitality and tourism businesses have called on the government to help support businesses hit by the Covid crisis by extending the VAT cut and business rates holiday.

UKHospitality is encouraging everyone across the hospitality sector to record their own video and post them on social media using the hashtag #hospitalitymatters. The trade body has also repeated its call for businesses to write to their MPs ahead of the Budget on 3 March.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: "Slashing VAT and providing a business rates holiday have been two hugely beneficial lifelines for hospitality businesses. This support, specifically tailored for our sector, has been crucial in keeping businesses afloat and jobs alive. It has given employers the breathing room they needed to survive the crisis and ensure they are still standing to help pick up the pieces this year.

"This valuable support cannot be allowed to expire, though. If it is to have the maximum positive effect on businesses, it has to be extended at the Budget. Many businesses are still not out of the woods and the coming weeks and months are going to be crucial. They need all the support that the government can give them and the best way to help is to extend the VAT cut and business rates holiday. Failure to extend it into next year risks undoing much of the good work that has been done to keep businesses afloat.

"UKHospitality has been making that point to the government at every available opportunity. You have an opportunity to make your own voice heard at a vitally important moment for our sector. We need as many people as possible in the sector to hammer home the message. We encourage business owners, managers, staff and customers who care about their favourite venues to let their MPs know this is what must be done to help businesses in their constituencies. Record your own video so they can see the faces behind the businesses and let them know we need an extension to the VAT cut and business rates holiday."