Hospitality sector has now lost a total of 84,000 jobs since the last Budget as figure increases by 13,000 in only a month:

The UK’s hospitality industry has shed 84,000 jobs since the last Budget, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics, accounting for nearly half (45%) of all job losses across the economy since October. In the past month alone, 13,000 more roles have been lost.

NFFF President, Andrew Crook said: “These figures are extremely concerning but not surprising. Hospitality businesses, especially independent businesses are having to reduce operational hours and staffing levels to survive the high tax burden. We urge government to engage with as much of the sector as possible so they can formulate a plan that not only stops this decline but allows the sector to generate the much needed growth the economy urgently needs.”

UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls described the figures as “devastating” and directly linked the losses to government policy. “The changes to employers’ national insurance contributions were socially regressive,” she said, “and hit entry, level roles the hardest.”

Nicholls warned that without urgent intervention, the situation could deteriorate further. She urged the government to fix the national insurance system by extending current exemptions to include young people and those moving from welfare to work, a move she said would help drive job creation. She also called for cuts to business rates and VAT to revive the high street and support future investment.

“Our sector has always been ready to deliver growth and employment,” she added. “But we need the right environment to do it — not more tax hikes.”