COMMITMENTS by Labour to replace business rates and reform the Apprenticeship Levy deliver on two longstanding asks of UKHospitality, according to the leading trade body for UK hospitality.

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, commented: “It’s clear that Labour has listened and acted on UKHospitality’s policy recommendations, which will enable hospitality to continue to create places where people want to live, work and invest.

“We are delighted to see a commitment to replace the broken business rates system and reduce the burden on high street businesses.

“Hospitality pays three times its fair share of rates, as a proportion of its turnover, and lowering the burden can easily be delivered within the first 100 days of an incoming government through the introduction of a permanently lower rate for hospitality and other high street businesses.

“Reform of the Apprenticeship Levy would be transformational for our investment in skills and help us attract more people into the rewarding roles we have to offer. Reform of the levy would, crucially, free up funds to enable the rollout of our successful skills pilot to help people out of work into jobs in hospitality.

“As a sector that provides jobs and opportunities for everyone across the country, we’ve been pleased to engage with the Labour team on its proposals for workers and we look forward to continuing to work with them on this plan.”