Government

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.

Hospitality shutdown responsible for a quarter of UK's GDP fall

15-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Government-mandated shutdown of the hospitality sector was responsible for nearly a quarter of the GDP losses felt by UK business in April, according to the CGA's latest UKHospitality Tracker.

'Comprehensive' review of two-metre distancing rule ordered by PM

15-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

An 'comprehensive' review of the two-metre social distancing rule has been ordered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as pressure continues to grow for the Government to relax the guidance.

Pressure grows to cut two-metre social distancing rule

11-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Conservative MPs are reportedly calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to cut the two-metre social distancing rule, a move many hospitality operators have said will be integral to their survival.

UKHospitality urges Government to provide fiscal rent support

10-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned of significant business failures and job losses across the sector if the Government fails to provide fiscal support to overcome the stand-off between landlords and tenants over unpaid rent.

Business Secretary pours cold water on early reopening plans for sector

10-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Business Secretary has confirmed that the earliest hospitality businesses will be able to reopen will be 4 July, dashing hopes that they may have been able to open earlier.

BBPA calls for definitive pub reopening date

09-Jun-2020 By Georgia Cronin

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has called on Government to provide immediate clarity on whether pubs with beer gardens can reopen from 22 June.

Ministers aiming to accelerate plans for restaurant and pub reopenings

08-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Pubs and restaurants across England could be allowed to reopen two weeks earlier than planned, with suggestions that the two metre social distancing rule could also be relaxed.

Government 'determined' to retain two-metre distancing rule

02-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Housing minister Simon Clarke has said the Government intends to maintain a two-metre social distancing rule despite growing calls, particularly from within the hospitality sector, for it to be reduced.

Government to publish code of conduct on commercial rental payments

29-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government is working with businesses and trade associations to publish a code of practice that will 'provide clarity and reassurance' to both commercial tenants and landlords over rent payments.

UKHospitality releases guidelines to help pubs and restaurants reopen safely

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has released draft guidance for pubs and restaurants preparing to reopen that recommends removing salt and pepper shakers from tables and banning customers from sitting or drinking at bars.

Insolvency bill presented to Parliament

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has introduced new insolvency legislation to help prevent struggling companies having to file for bankruptcy because of economic problems caused by the Coronavirus crisis.

MPs throw support behind inclusion of tronc in JRS

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

MPs from both sides of the House have pledged to support to a campaign asking Chancellor Rishi Sunak to include tronc payments in the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS).

Government expands CLBILs maximum loan size to £200m

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has increased the maximum loan size available through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILs) from £50m to £200m.

Government's proposed immigration bill receives initial backing from MPs

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government’s proposed points-based immigration bill, which could make it impossible for hospitality businesses to secure EU migrants for entry-level positions, has been given initial approval by MPs.

Winding-up petitions against restaurants increase 165%, with further surge expected

18-May-2020 By James McAllister

The number of winding-up petitions issued against restaurants has jumped by 165% so far in 2020, with a second surge expected in the coming months.

Proposed immigration bill “a threat to the national interest”

18-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government’s proposed points-based immigration bill, which has previously been described as “disastrous” for the hospitality sector, poses "a threat to the national interest” says Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary.

Ministerial-led task force set up to facilitate safe reopening of pubs and restaurants

13-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has set up five ministerial-led task forces to develop plans for how and when businesses in closed sectors such as hospitality can reopen safely.

JRS extended until October

12-May-2020 By James McAllister

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) will be extended by a further four months, until the end of October.

Government guidance released for safe takeaway operations

12-May-2020 By Georgia Cronin

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s phased reopening announcement on Sunday, the Government has released new guidance to advise hospitality venues on how to operate a safe takeaway service.

Some hospitality businesses may be able to open in July, PM says

10-May-2020 By James McAllister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that some parts of the hospitality industry could reopen in July.

Letter demanding tronc inclusion in JRS receives sector-wide support

06-May-2020 By James McAllister

Restaurateurs including D&D London CEO Des Gunewardena and Hawksmoor founder Will Beckett have signed a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak demanding the inclusion of tronc payments in the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS).

Bounce Back Loan scheme receives 100,000 applications on first day

05-May-2020 By James McAllister

Around 100,000 small businesses have reportedly applied for a ‘Bounce Back Loan’ on the first day of the scheme.

Chancellor says there will be "no cliff-edge" to JRS

05-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has sought to reassure businesses by saying there will be “no cliff-edge” to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS).

Ireland plans to reopen restaurants in June

04-May-2020 By James McAllister

Restaurants in Ireland could be allowed to reopen as early as June if the spread of the Coronavirus is controlled.

Tory MPs call on Chancellor to deliver further support for hospitality

04-May-2020 By James McAllister

A group of 85 Conservative MPs have written to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, calling for a specific support package for the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Outlook for hospitality sector remains gloomy as Government prepares to deliver plan to restart economy

01-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Prime Minister has said the Government will deliver a “comprehensive plan” next week on how the Coronavirus lockdown may be eased, and how it intends to restart the British economy.

Calls grow for Government to amend and extend JRS

29-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Pressure is mounting on the Government to both extend its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS), and amend elements of it to allow for flexibility.

Chancellor unveils 100% state-backed loan scheme for UK’s smallest businesses

27-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new small business loan scheme that will come with a 100% state-backed guarantee.

Survey shows that less than 1% of businesses have successfully claimed on interruption insurance

27-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Fewer than 1% of hospitality businesses have successfully managed to claim on their business interruption insurance according to an industry survey carried out by trade body UKHospitality.

Chancellor considering 100% state-backed loan guarantees for smallest businesses

24-Apr-2020 By Restaurant

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering offering 100% state-backed guarantees on loans to smallest businesses of up to £25,000.

Government updates JRS guidance to confirm the exclusion of tronc

24-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Updated Government guidance has stipulated that tronc payments cannot be claimed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS), a move that’s been described as “disastrous” for furloughed hospitality employees.

New Government measures ban landlords from pursuing aggressive forms of rent recovery

23-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

New measures are being introduced to help protect any commercial tenants who are feeling the pressure from landlords pursuing aggressive forms of rent recovery.

Up to two million hospitality jobs at risk without further Government support

23-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

An extended period of social distancing could cost the hospitality sector between one and two million jobs according to leading voices within the industry.

Croydon BID demands greater grant support from Government

21-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Croydon Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a campaign calling on the Government to raise the threshold on its Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme so that more businesses can benefit.

More than 140,000 firms apply for JRS on first day

21-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

More than 140,000 businesses applied for the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme (JRS) during its first day of operation.

JRS portal goes live

20-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

The portal for making claims under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) opens this morning.

Michael Gove: "Areas of hospitality will be among the last to exit lockdown"

20-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Pubs, restaurants and hotels will be among the last businesses to reopen when the Government begins relaxing its Coronavirus lockdown orders according to Michael Gove MP.

JRS extended by one month

17-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) by one month 'to reflect continuing social distancing measures'.

Calls for Government to offer more support to seasonal workers and new starters not covered by JRS

14-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

The Government is being called upon to offer more support to the thousands of seasonal workers and new starters who do not currently qualify for payments under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS).

Trade bodies urge Government to expand and accelerate distribution of grant scheme funds

09-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Four of the industry’s leading trade bodies have joined together to ask the Government to expand and accelerate the distribution of funds from its Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme.

JRS portal set to go live on April 20

09-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

The HMRC has confirmed that the portal for making claims under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) will open on 20 April.

Councillors asked to apply greater flexibility for licensees during Coronavirus crisis

08-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Councillors have been asked to consider ‘a more flexible approach’ to the collection of licensing fees and late-night levy charges while the Coronavirus crisis is ongoing.

Cash flow struggles leave businesses facing "cliff-edge scenario"

08-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Businesses face a “cliff-edge scenario” according to the latest figures published by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which reveal most are struggling to access the Government’s loan and grant schemes.

Outcry from UKHospitality as Government confirms furloughed workers will not be entitled to tronc

07-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Updated guidance regarding the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme says workers will not be entitled to tip payments while they are furloughed, which has led to an outcry from trade body UKHospitality.

UKHospitality demands greater safeguards for commercial tenants

02-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has written to the Government asking for an immediate extension of the forfeiture moratorium for six months and a widening of the scope to include broader debt enforcement measures, including winding-up orders, statutory demands...

Sunak set to overhaul Business Interruption Loan Scheme

02-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to overhaul his Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme amid reports many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) were struggling to the access funds.

Up to a million SMEs could fold as a result of Coronavirus crisis

01-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Nearly a fifth of all small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK are unlikely to get the money they need to survive the Coronavirus crisis.