Call for evidence

Today the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism has launched its call for evidence as part of its new inquiry ‘After the Vaccine - Saving the UK’s Town and City Centres Post COVID-19.

The long-term challenges faced by hospitality and tourism businesses operating in these areas are significant. While there is latent demand for hospitality amongst the general public, after a year of decimated trade, national and devolved government’s must take the right approach to rebuild hospitality and tourism in our towns and cities. The pandemic has thrown light on a range of regulations and business practices that are no longer fit for purpose and which have or will hamper recovery efforts. Meanwhile, longer-term challenges to high street businesses have been exacerbated and changes to working habits could reduce footfall into cities and towns permanently, with significant implications for businesses. 

HAVE YOUR SAY

This APPG consultation tackles a diverse range of issues including business operation, business taxation and how to rebuild hospitality and tourism in a green and sustainable way. We would encourage all members to respond to the consultation, with the questions and details of how to do so found here. The deadline for responses will be 11:59 on Wednesday 7th April 2021.  

UKHospitality is the Secretariat of the APPG and will be working closely with members and Parliamentarians during the inquiry and on the report that follows. The APPG aims to create an industry-supported blueprint for Government on how to rebuild hospitality and tourism businesses in cities and on high streets across the UK when COVID restrictions are eventually lifted. 

About the APPG and its work

UKHospitality has been the Secretariat of the APPG since its formation in 2018 and has been working closely with the APPG over the past year on its two previous inquires, ‘Pathways to Recovery’ and ‘Coasts and Waters’. Since March 2020:

Over 100 MPs from right across the political spectrum have engaged with the APPG.

The APPGs detailed policy reports have been important in moving the government towards more support for the hospitality sector, including the VAT cut, employment support and business rates relief.

Ministers have praised the APPG for its work, suggesting that it provides a vital voice for hospitality and tourism.

Every region of the UK is now represented in the APPG's membership.

Over 80 cross-party MPs signed an open letter to the Chancellor calling for a continuation of the VAT reduction an extension of the business rates holiday, along with other sector-specific support measures.

Support the APPG

We hope that you will support the APPG in this inquiry and respond to the consultation. If you have any questions on our work with the APPG please get in touch with Richard on rclifford@ukhospitality.org.uk

Kind regards

The UKHospitality Team