Election 2015: Hospitality industry reacts to result

07-May-2015 - Last updated on 08-May-2015 at 12:21 GMT

The industry feared a hung parliament could damage consumer confidence

The hospitality industry has welcomed a clear majority result in the general election, after fears that a hung parliament could create uncertainty for businesses.

The Conservative Party party are forecast to return to Downing Street with 331 seats, providing David Cameron with a slim majority in the House of Commons.

BHA

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), was glad the threat of 'no clear winner' had been avoided.

She said: "Now the coalition veil has been lifted there is no room for excuses. The hospitality and tourism industry expect the new Conservative Government to start delivering from day one.”

Ibrahim was clear that a reduction in Tourism VAT remained top priority for the BHA.

“Cutting tourism tax to 5 per cent [from 20 per cent] would boost jobs, bring billions of new revenue to the Treasury and directly improve the livelihoods of people in struggling communities across the UK. Let's hope consumers are the winners in the final result and can look forward to the benefits of an increasingly healthy economy," she said.

ALMR

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) said a ‘clear result’ provided ‘a measure of stability’ for businesses.

“An incoming Conservative Government, rather than a coalition or Labour Government, potentially favours greater emphasis on voluntary and partnership schemes such as Purple Flag and [responsible drinking programme] Best Bar None," she said.

“Traditionally, the Conservative Party has favoured industry self-regulation as opposed to costly intervention and we welcome this. The ALMR is also looking forward to continuing its work liaising with the Government to push for business rates and tax reform and a fairer, more flexible deal for licensed hospitality.”

Footprint

Footprint, the sustainability lobbying group that represents the hospitality industry, welcomed the Conservative victory and called on the new government to place greater importance on environmental issues.

Managing director Charles Miers said: “The new Conservative Government, with its pledge to freeze VAT and National Insurance contributions and increase support for start-ups, offers a much needed boost to the industry and to business generally.

“We would like the Tories to place greater importance on hard environmental issues; in particular a more circular economy, sustainable farming and green energy, at a time when diminishing resources and population growth are set to be major policy considerations in the next 5-year term.

“It is as much the duty of the corporate world to push the responsible business agenda and hold parliament to account as it is the role of a government to aid enterprise transition to less [environmentally damaging] supply chains.”

A round up of BigHospitality’s election coverage can be found here.