Hospitality group calls for halt to regulation – Daily Business

A trade group representing pubs, hotels and catering companies has called for a halt to further regulation to help businesses cope with other cost pressures.

In a letter to the First Minister, UKHospitality Scotland says the incoming single-use cup tax – or ‘latte levy’ – and alcohol marketing proposals should be indefinitely paused.

It says the cumulative impact of increasing costs, looming visitor levies and a raft of proposed red tape is already forcing businesses to reduce employment levels, cut investment and increase prices.

UKHospitality Scotland, which speaks for more than 8,000 venues, said the Programme for Government, which is introduced tomorrow, should be an opportunity to “offer stability and certainty” for hospitality.

Immediate financial challenges should be addressed through an extension of business rates relief to all hospitality businesses, it says, adding that the Scottish Government should build on the positive engagement of the New Deal for Business and set out its plan of how it will work with businesses to drive growth.

Leon Thompson, executive director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “Hospitality businesses across Scotland are still grappling with the £1 billion in additional employment costs, introduced by the UK Government.

“Now would be the worst time to add further costs, which is why this Programme for Government should be one that supports our businesses and helps the Scottish Government deliver its growth agenda.

“Businesses are reducing employment levels, increasing prices and cutting investment. A business positive Programme for Government could help mitigate some of the pressure on venues.

“This week’s Programme for Government must offer stability and certainty for businesses. There is an opportunity for the Scottish Government to address short-term challenges through further business rates support, and to set out how it will build on its engagement with businesses to drive growth.

“Hospitality is already the most socially productive sector in the UK – delivering economic and social impact, equitably across the UK. There is more we can do if the Scottish Government works with us to unlock our potential.”