Government

Government extends debt enforcement moratorium as insolvency protections prolonged

24-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

Measures introduced under the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act, including a restriction on landlords pursuing aggressive forms of rent recovery such as winding-up petitions, have been extended by the Government.

Chancellor announces Job Support Scheme to replace furlough from November

24-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new wage subsidy programme that he says will 'allow firms to preserve viable jobs'.

Chancellor to announce 'Winter Economy Plan' as Autumn Budget scrapped

24-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to unveil a 'Winter Economy Plan' later today (24 September) that is expected to include a wage subsidy programme to help protect workers still furloughed.

Sunak considers wage subsidy to replace Job Retention Scheme

23-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is understood to be drawing up plans for a new wage subsidy programme to replace the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme (JRS) next month.

Sunak set to extend business support loans

21-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to extend the Treasury’s UK-wide programme of business support loans.

Welsh hospitality businesses call for emergency support

21-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

The Welsh Independent Restaurant Collective (WIRC) has sent an urgent letter to the Welsh Government setting out the increasingly fragile financial position of the sector.

‘No evidence’ hospitality responsible for transmission spike

21-Sep-2020 By Finn Scott-Delany

Hospitality leaders have strongly rejected health secretary Matt Hancock’s suggestion that pubs and restaurants are one of the key places of Coronavirus transmission.

Curfew restrictions imposed on hospitality in north-east England

17-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

A 10pm curfew on pubs, restaurants and bars in parts of north-east England has been announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Government confirms extension of commercial rent protections

16-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has further extended its rent protection period for commercial tenants until the end of the year.

Government set to extend commercial rent protections

15-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

The Government is reportedly planning to extend its moratorium on commercial evictions until the end of the year.

Government's 'rule of six' hits consumer confidence

14-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

A nationwide ban on social gatherings of more than six people has damaged the confidence and plans of consumers to eat and drink out, a snap poll from CGA reveals.

Government urged to extend rent support or face 'bloodbath' of business failures

14-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

Voices from across the hospitality sector have called on the Government to act urgently to solve the rent crisis before the moratorium on commercial evictions ends on 30 September.

UKH welcomes cross-party support for long-term reduction in tourism VAT

11-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has welcomed the cross-party support for a long-term reduction in tourism VAT expressed in yesterday afternoon’s (10 September) Backbench Business debate in the House of Commons.

Chancellor urged to 'carefully consider' targeted furlough extensions

11-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

A cross-party group of MPs have urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to 'carefully consider' targeted extensions to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) beyond the end of October.

Government announces grant scheme for businesses affected by local lockdowns

10-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

Businesses in England that are required to shut because of local lockdowns or targeted restrictions will be able to claim grants of up to £1,500 per property every three weeks.

Hospitality jobs portal launches to support Government’s Kickstart scheme

10-Sep-2020 By Stefan Chomka

A website helping young people get a career in hospitality as part of the Government’s new Kickstart scheme has received backing from the industry.

Collection of track and trace details to become mandatory in England

09-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

The Government is set to tighten track and trace rules making it compulsory for pubs and restaurants in England to take customers’ details.

Pub and restaurant groups see sales halved in first month back

13-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups saw year-on-year sales fall by 50.4% in the first month of post-lockdown trading, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

UKHospitality calls for investigation into hospitality energy market

11-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has written to the Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng MP calling on the Government and Ofgem to investigate unfair practices in the energy market.

Trade bodies call for introduction of 'Property Bounceback grant'

11-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

Landlords and operators have issued a joint call for a joint call for a Government-backed Property Bounceback grant to facilitate in rent negotiations.

More than 10.5m Eat Out to Help Out claims made in first week

11-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

The Treasury has said that diners used the Eat Out to Help Out scheme more than 10.5m times in its first week.

One in three pubs unable to break even

05-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

More than a third of UK pubs cannot break even one month after reopening, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Over three-quarters of UK hospitality businesses at risk of insolvency

04-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

More than three-quarters of hospitality businesses in the UK are at risk of falling into insolvency within the next 12 months, according to UKHospitality.

Minister shuns suggestions of shutting restaurants and pubs as ‘trade-off’ to reopen schools

03-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

The Housing Secretary has quelled speculation that restaurants and pubs could be ordered to close again as part of a ‘trade-off’ to allow children to return to classrooms in September.

Eat Out to Help Out launches with over 72,000 restaurants signed up

03-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

More than 72,000 restaurants across the UK have now signed up to participate in the Government's Eat Out to Help Out initiative, which launches today (3 Aug).

The Lowdown: Eat Out to Help Out

30-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Next week sees the launch of the Chancellor’s month-long Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which it hopes will lure diners back into restaurants.

Brexit gives UK 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to reshape its food system

29-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Britain's exit from the European Union gives the nation a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to reshape its food system, according to the first part of Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy.

Face mask announcement underlines safety of hospitality venues

24-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has hailed the wide-ranging exemptions for hospitality venues as 'a tribute to the robust nature of the sector’s Coronavirus safety measures'.

Calls for Government to extend insolvency bill

23-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Consulting and advisory firm RSM has called on the Government to urgently consider extending the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act beyond the end of September.

Over 32,000 restaurants sign up for Eat Out to Help Out

23-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

More than 32,000 restaurants across the UK have so far signed up to the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, according to the HMRC.

Government seeks evidence for business rates review

21-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has launched a call for evidence as it prepares to conduct a 'fundamental review' of business rates.

Government amendment asks operators to ensure outdoor areas include smoke-free sections

20-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

An amendment to the Government's Business and Planning Bill will demand that pubs, cafes and restaurants operating outdoor dining and drinking spaces make 'reasonable provision' for smoke-free seating.

'No plans' to extend support to businesses impacted by Leicester lockdown, says Government

09-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

The Minster for Business and Industry, Nadhim Zahawi, has said the Government has 'no plans' to extend further support to businesses in Leicester currently forced to remain closed.

"These measures are positive, but we aren't out of the woods" - Industry reacts to summer statement

08-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Industry voices have reacted optimistically to the Government's stimulus package, but there are warnings more help will be needed to ensure the hospitality sector can recover from the Coronavirus crisis.

The summer statement: four things we might see

08-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

As Chancellor Rishi Sunak prepares to set out his plan to jumpstart the UK economy and alleviate some of the devastation caused by Coronavirus, here's four things he may introduce:

Industry leaders call on Government to provide 'urgent' business support for hospitality sector

06-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

More than 100 industry leaders from across the hospitality sector have written to the Government demanding urgent support to stimulate the revival of the sector following the Coronavirus crisis.

Trade bodies publish track and trace guidance for businesses

03-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) have published guidance to businesses on supporting the Government’s track and trace customer registration scheme.

Flexible furlough comes into force

01-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) come into effect today (1 July), allowing businesses to bring back furloughed employees part time if they wish to.

Government prepares to set out plans for 'al fresco Britain'

25-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Government is expected to bring forward a bill later today (25 June) aimed at allowing pubs, cafes and restaurants more freedom to operate outside.

UKHospitality welcomes 'pragmatic and flexible' reopening guidance

24-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has 'warmly welcomed' the Government guidance published earlier today (24 June), which advises operators on how to make their business 'Covid secure' as they plan for reopening.

Government publishes reopening guidance for hospitality sector

24-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has published a 43-page advisory document for operators preparing to reopen on 4 July.

Chancellor mulls VAT cut

22-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering a cut to VAT in a bid to jumpstart the UK economy following the Coronavirus lockdown.

PM set to announce relaxation of social distancing measures

22-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Boris Johnson is reportedly set to announce a reduction in the Government's two-metre social distancing rule tomorrow (23 June).

Lease forfeiture moratorium extended as Government sets out Code of Practice

19-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has extended its rent protection period for commercial tenants until the end of September in a move that will be greatly welcomed by operators across the hospitality sector.

Alert level downgrade brings renewed hope for hospitality sector

19-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The UK's Coronavirus alert level has been downgraded from four to three, which could pave the way for a relaxation of social distancing measures.

Oakman Inns challenges PM over reopening as it eyes 4 July date

18-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Oakman Inns says it will be opening its entire estate on 4 July, and has challenged Prime Minister to tell it otherwise.

Hospitality sector reopening announcement delayed by Government review

18-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Plans to announce that pubs and restaurants in England could reopen on 4 July have reportedly been delayed by the Government's review of the two-metre social distancing rule.

NTIA demands further support for the NTE and events sector

18-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Night Time Industry Association (NTIA) has urged the Government to continue offering financial support to the night-time economy (NTE) and events sector until the end of the year.

Trade bodies urge Government to extend rent protection period

17-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Industry bodies from across the leisure, hospitality and retail sectors have called for the Government to take urgent steps this week to extend protection from rent enforcement activity.

Government 'must amend' JRS to allow tronc payments says Treasury Select Committee

15-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Treasury Select Committee says the Government 'must amend' the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) to allow tronc payments to be included.