92% of hospitality workers against National Insurance rise

The online poll of 118 employers and workers in the industry carried out yesterday, found that 92 per cent of those earning less than £35,000 a year were, unsurprisingly, against the move.

On Wednesday the British Hospitality Association said the planned rise from next April would raise payroll costs and threaten new jobs in the industry​. The Federation of Small Businesses also said the 1p increase could cost 57,000 small-business jobs, but this latest figure shows that current workers within the industry are also worried about the rise.

Mark Darby, managing director of Berkeley Scott, the recruitment consultancy carrying out the poll, said: "A lot has been made of business leaders making their voices heard, but these results are focused on the workforce themselves; both permanent and temporary/casual labour – on the face of it they support the growing number of business leaders condemning the National Insurance rise.”

"What we are sensing is that people are worried. They have struggled last year in an industry that was heavily hit and feel that not only will they be financially worse off but that the number of potential vacancies will drop.”

Cautious support​

Of the 8 per cent backing the rise, many did so cautiously. Mike Holton, director at Old English Taverns, said: "National Insurance may or may not be the best way but tax revenue rise seems essential. If the money came from service cuts that would be worse. The economy should be better by next year."

Berkeley Scott said the opinion was mostly the same across all sectors of the industry, from pubs to restaurants, hotels and contract caterers.

"Many have faced difficulties this year in an industry that has been massively affected and a majority are genuinely concerned that the increase in National Insurance will stop the recovery being seen in the industry they love. These people have sent a very clear message,” added Darby.