Hospitality welcomes new government as it calls on Labour to deliver on commitments

Labour has won a significant majority in the general election and will begin government with incoming Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer promising “change begins now” and that he led a “changed Labour party ready to serve our country”.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls congratulated Starmer and the Labour Party on its victory and called on it to deliver “action in the first 100 days”.

She said: “We look forward to working with the new Labour Government, which during the campaign has clearly recognised hospitality’s role serving Britain and creating places where people want to live, work and invest.

“We now need to see this followed up with action in the first 100 days. Delivering on manifesto commitments to replace business rates and reform the Apprenticeship Levy would be a clear sign that the Government backs hospitality as the central pillar of the everyday economy.

“Swiftly addressing business rates would fulfil a longstanding ask of the sector and avoid a cliff-edge in April, when current relief is set to end and rates are due to increase again.

“Hospitality, with its presence in every constituency, can act as a powerhouse for driving economic growth, creating new jobs and regenerating our towns and cities. I look forward to working in partnership with the new Government to help deliver its manifesto commitments and realise hospitality’s growth ambitions.”

Night Time Industries Association chief executive Michael Kill said the “the real work begins now”.

Welcoming the new government, he said that the sector “must rebuild trust with the new government”.

Kill added: “After years of feeling misunderstood and undervalued, we must work towards changing the narrative around the value of the night time economy, secure stronger representation at all levels, and create a more integrated regulatory system. We must also address tax disparity, reform business rates, protect independent operators, and align VAT with European standards.

He said that the new government had a “considerable opportunity ahead” that provided an opportunity for “meaningful and transactional change”.

He added: “We need the new government to prioritise meaningful policy changes, strategic and targeted financial support, and collaborative efforts to shape the future of nightlife. This will ensure a sustainable and thriving future for night time industries.”