Legislation

Government review of short-term letting market welcomed

30-Jun-2022 By Restaurant

The Government’s call for evidence on England’s short-term letting market has been welcomed by trade body UKHospitality following years of it pushing for a review.

Fundamental questions on Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme remain 'unanswered'

29-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

UKHospitality Scotland has warned that the country's forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) could become another form of taxation on businesses and customers, adding to the cost-of-living crisis.

Muted response to Government food strategy

14-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

Leon co-founder Henry Dimbleby has criticised the Government's newly-published food strategy, which he advised on, saying it is 'not a strategy'.

UKHospitality calls for online sales tax and reduced business rates

20-May-2022 By Shwetali Sapte

UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the Government to introduce an online sales tax to reduce business rates for hospitality.

Scottish Government to bolster outdoor dining by streamlining planning processes

12-May-2022 By James McAllister

Outdoor restaurant seating could be permitted without a planning application in Scotland under new proposals designed to support the hospitality industry.

Queen's Speech 'a missed opportunity' for night time economy

11-May-2022 By James McAllister

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has said yesterday's (10 May) Queen’s Speech was a 'missed opportunity' as far as the night time economy is concerned.

Ban on exclusivity clauses for lowest paid 'positive for hospitality'

10-May-2022 By James McAllister

The Government's decision to widen its ban on exclusivity clauses to include those earning less than £123 a week has been welcomed as 'positive for businesses and workers in hospitality'.

Government set to make pavement licences permanent

09-May-2022 By James McAllister

The Government is to make pavement licences permanent under legislation set to the be announced in tomorrow's (10 May) Queen's Speech.

'Disappointment' as Government shelves plans for tipping legislation

06-May-2022 By James McAllister

Plans to introduce legislation prohibiting hospitality firms from taking a proportion of staff tips or service charge have been shelved, with one industry body describing the move as 'disappointing'.

Government looks to rejuvenate high streets by forcing landlords to let out vacant units

19-Apr-2022 By James McAllister

Vacant retail units could be repurposed as leisure or hospitality premises under Government plans to 'breathe new life' into Britain's high streets.

Failure to tackle labour shortages will 'stifle' hospitality's recovery

07-Apr-2022 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that Government failure to tackle 'chronic' labour shortages in hospitality will stifle the sector's pandemic recovery, echoing the wider conclusions of a new report from MPs.

Government launches survey to assess impact of new commercial rent law

28-Mar-2022 By James McAllister

The Government has launched an online survey to help understand 'the context and impact of a new commercial rent law, which came into effect last week.

Majority of adults support VAT freeze for hospitality

11-Mar-2022 By Restaurant

The majority of adults believe the Government should maintain VAT at its current rate of 12.5% beyond April, according to two separate surveys.

Keeping VAT at 12.5% is vital, UKHospitality tells Government

09-Mar-2022 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has told a Government select committee that keeping VAT at 12.5% is vital to the sector, describing it as the only industry in a position to deliver post-pandemic jobs, growth and investment at speed.

Welsh government urged to remove working from home guidance

07-Mar-2022 By Restaurant

UKHospitality has urged the Welsh government to remove its work from home guidance in order to encourage people back onto the high streets.

UKHospitality calls for permanent pavement licences to help 'speed sector's recovery'

04-Mar-2022 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has called on the Government to make pavement licences permanent, saying it will help Covid-ravaged businesses make a faster post-pandemic recovery.

High Court challenge to the Government's delay to reopening indoor hospitality fails

04-May-2021 By Restaurant

A High Court challenge to the Government's decision to delay the reopening of indoor hospitality until 17 May has failed.

Legislative loophole allows for takeaway beer sales

04-Nov-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has partially U-turned on its decision to ban pubs in England selling takeaway alcoholic drinks during the forthcoming November lockdown, legislation published yesterday (3 November) shows.

Glasgow's Ubiquitous Chip owner calls on hospitality to demonstrate plight of workers

09-Oct-2020 By Restaurant

The owner of popular Glasgow restaurant Ubiquitous Chip is calling on the industry to come together to demonstrate the number of livelihoods that are at stake as a result of the Scottish Government’s latest restrictions on hospitality.

More than a third of hospitality businesses won't survive six-month 10pm curfew

02-Oct-2020 By Restaurant

The Government’s 10pm curfew will be catastrophic for many hospitality businesses with more than a third saying they will not survive a six-month period with it in effect.

The Lowdown: music in restaurants

01-Oct-2020 By Restaurant

Music has become the latest casualty in the fight against Coronavirus, with restaurants and pubs no longer allowed to crank up the sound system.

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.

New Coronavirus rules: what they mean for hospitality businesses

24-Sep-2020 By Restaurant

The Government has introduced new rules for hospitality businesses from today, including a 10pm curfew, the displaying of NHS QR code posters and mandatory face masks for workers. Here's what the rules mean for your business, staff and customers.

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.

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.

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.

Industry reacts to new tipping bill with vigilance

15-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

The government’s pledge to deliver new legislation requiring employers to pass on tips paid to workers in full has been met with concern by the hospitality sector.

New guidelines to impose calorie cap on some restaurant dishes

12-Oct-2018 By MCA

Public Health England is set to unveil new guidelines that would set a calorie cap for certain dishes.

Government to ban restaurants from taking cut of staff tips

01-Oct-2018 By Sophie Witts

Restaurants will be legally banned from deducting money from staff tips under plans to be announced by Theresa May today (1 October).

UKHospitality calls for Government support to create "post-Brexit workforce"

10-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

UKHospitality is calling on the Government to offer greater support to tackle the industry’s staffing crisis.

Lib Dems call to scrap "badly designed" business rates

30-Aug-2018 By Sophie Witts

UKHospitality has praised proposals by the Liberal Democrats to scrap business rates.

The Lowdown: The Offensive Weapons Bill

16-Aug-2018 By Georgia Bronte

The government is looking to ban suppliers from shipping knives to people’s homes.