Overview

• UKHospitality’s analysis of ONS data reports nearly 89,000 hospitality jobs lost since last October’s Budget, equal to 53% of the 164,641 UK job losses recorded over the period.
• The group says around 4.1% of hospitality roles—one in 25—have gone, a loss rate seven times that of the wider economy.
• Sector leaders cite April’s changes that lifted the employer NI rate to 15% and lowered the threshold to £5,000, alongside a higher national living wage, as key drivers of payroll cost pressure.
• The Treasury points to help for venues including reduced licensing costs, extended business rates relief and draught duty cuts, though industry groups argue these measures fall short.
• The Office for Budget Responsibility had estimated 50,000 losses from NIC changes, and UKHospitality is urging the autumn Budget to cut business rates, revise employer NI and reduce VAT, warning job losses could reach 100,000 without action.