Brexit

The Lowdown: changes to Skilled Worker visas

19-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

The Government has released important new information about its changes to a means of employing staff from abroad that has been a 'lifeline' for some parts of the hospitality industry.

Truss to review visa scheme

26-Sep-2022 By Georgi Gyton

Prime Minister Liz Truss is to launch a major review into Britain’s visa systems in a bid to try and alleviate the acute labour shortages in industries such as hospitality.

Businesses told to invest in UK workforce as hospitality staff shortage petition dismissed by Government

06-Sep-2022 By James McAllister

The Government has dismissed a petition calling for EU nationals to be permitted to come to the UK to work in hospitality, telling businesses to invest in the UK’s domestic labour force instead.

Number of international workers in UK hospitality sector shrinks by nearly 200,000

17-Aug-2022 By James McAllister

As many as 196,000 international workers including some 120,000 EU workers have left the UK hospitality sector since 2019, a new report from specialist hospitality hiring partner Caterer.com reveals.

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.

EU worker numbers drop further across hospitality as Brits fill more roles

14-Oct-2021 By James McAllister

The number of EU workers in hospitality is continuing to fall, according to the latest figures from Fourth, with Brits now making up more than half of the sector's workforce.

Hospitality leaders call on Government to urgently loosen visa rules for staff

28-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

More than 65 hospitality leaders including Jeremy King, Yotam Ottolenghi and Skye Gyngell have signed an open letter to the Government demanding immigration requirements for hospitality workers be urgently loosened.

Three quarters of hospitality businesses likely to raise prices as supply chain challenges intensify

23-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses face a storm of supply chain problems and rising costs with three quarters of them are likely to raise prices for consumers as a result, new research shows.

Falling labour and rising ingredient costs drive rethinks on supply

14-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Chronic labour shortages, insufficient manufactured stocks and post-Brexit challenges on imports are combining to create disruption and inflation across the foodservice sector, the latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index reveals.

Staff shortages and import/export challenges the biggest impacts of Brexit for hospitality

23-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Staff shortages and challenges around importing and exporting have been the biggest impacts of Brexit to businesses within the hospitality sector, according to Lumina Intelligence.

Scottish Hospitality Group calls for four-nations approach to tackle hospitality jobs crisis

17-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

The Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) is urging Westminster to work with the three devolved nations and introduce a migrant visa scheme to provide hospitality employers with access to workers.

Proportion of EU workers in hospitality at lowest level in years

26-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The proportion of hospitality workers from the EU is at its lowest level since at least 2016, according to the latest figures from Fourth.

Foodservice price inflation reaches highest ever level as supply struggles with reopening

08-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Food and drink prices continued their upward trend in May with basket costs up by 2.5% on April, the latest edition of the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index shows.

Staffing crisis 'drives up' hospitality wages

22-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Hiring bottlenecks in the UK’s hospitality sector are increasingly prompting hospitality operators to turn to temporary staff to keep up with demand, with wages increasing by nearly 14%.

Recruitment and productivity concerns mount after hospitality venues reopen

04-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Nine in 10 hospitality business leaders expect to face staff shortages this year, the latest Business Confidence Survey from CGA and Fourth reveals.

Politicians and trade bodies work to tackle sector staff shortages across hospitality

03-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Politicians and hospitality trade bodies are working together to try and tackle the ‘serious’ staff shortages being faced by businesses across the sector.

Staffing struggles force Le Gavroche to pause lunch service

02-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Michel Roux Jr has announced that his two-Michelin star fine-dining restaurant Le Gavroche in London's Mayfair is to pause offering a lunch service as a result of understaffing.

UKHospitality warns of 'staffing crisis' as sector faces shortage of 188,000 workers

01-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that the sector faces a 'staffing crisis' amid calls for the Government to stick its lockdown reopening roadmap and remove all social distancing restrictions on 21 June.

Reduction of EU workers puts squeeze on hospitality

30-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The impact of the pandemic and post-Brexit immigration systems has led to a 'significant reduction' in EU nationals working in the hospitality sector, research from Fourth reveals.

Admin burden on suppliers “threatens UK wine list diversity”

26-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Major wine suppliers have penned a letter to the Government asking it to take steps to reduce the extra administrative burden on EU wine imports that has been created by Brexit.

Independent Business Network tables £35bn strategy to save hospitality

02-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

A £35bn strategy to save Britain’s pubs, restaurants and high streets from ‘irreversible decline’ has been put forward by pro-Brexit organisation the Independent Business Network.

So long and thanks for all the fish - UK and EU agree Brexit trade deal

24-Dec-2020 By James McAllister

The UK and European Union have agreed a post-Brexit trade deal.

Hospitality businesses remain unclear on the impact of Brexit

03-Dec-2020 By Restaurant

Business leaders across the UK food and drink industry remain unclear on the impact that Brexit will have on their business over the coming 12 months, despite the looming Brexit deadline.

Hospitality businesses urged to register for sponsor license or face post-Brexit recruitment shortage

10-Nov-2020 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses are being warned they could face a recruitment shortage post Brexit if they do not register to employ overseas workers before free movement ends on 1 January.

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.

Big Mamma's UK expansion plans on hold in light of Government's handling of Coronavirus crisis

28-May-2020 By James McAllister

French restaurant group Big Mamma may row back on its UK expansion plans, saying the Government’s poor track record during the Coronavirus crisis has led to greater uncertainty over how it will handle Brexit.

Fred Sirieix: the government is "demonising" the hospitality industry

20-Feb-2020 By Sophie Witts

Fred Sirieix has accused the government of “demonising” the hospitality industry following the announcement of its post-Brexit immigration plans.

UKHospitality: post-Brexit immigration system must work for entire economy

29-Jan-2020 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has called on the Government to ensure the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system is flexible enough to address ‘sector-specific shortages’.

Chef Claude Bosi grapples with immigration rules

24-Jan-2020 By Sophie Witts

Claude Bosi has become the latest high-profile figure in the hospitality industry to fall foul of immigration rules.

UKHospitality and Tourism Alliance publish no-deal Brexit preparation report

11-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has partnered with the Tourism Alliance to publish a joint guidance report for the hospitality and tourism sectors in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

More than 1,400 UK restaurants have closed in the last year

16-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

The number of restaurants falling into insolvency has increased by 25% in the last year, according to accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young.

"Many people still need help" warns chef Richard Bertinet after settlement status is approved

06-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

French chef Richard Bertinet says he is relieved at finally having his EU Settlement Scheme application approved, but warns there are still many struggling to have their voices heard.

The Lowdown: BrewDog's Boris beer

05-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

BrewDog has decided to protest the actions of Prime Minster Boris Johnson with the launch of a new beer named Hello My Name Is (Unelected) Boris.

Fred Sirieix grapples with government’s EU Settlement Scheme

03-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

Fred Sirieix is the latest industry figure to have grappled with the Home Office after applying under the government’s EU Settlement Scheme.

No-deal Brexit: claim there will be no food shortages 'categorically untrue'

02-Sep-2019 By Sophie Witts

A Government minister’s claim that there will be no shortage of fresh food following a no-deal Brexit has been called ‘categorically untrue’ by a major trade body.

"Angry and confused": Richard Bertinet denied permanent settled status

27-Aug-2019 By James McAllister

French chef Richard Bertinet is calling on hospitality employers to support staff applying under the EU Settlement Scheme, after his own application was denied.

Beyond Brexit: are restaurant supply chains ready for no deal?

21-Aug-2019 By James McAllister

A no-deal Brexit looks likely to lead to food shortages and billions being wiped off the UK eating out market, so how are restaurants and suppliers preparing for the future in a time of unprecedented uncertainty?

No deal Brexit 'could wipe £5.4bn off the UK eating out market'

16-Aug-2019 By Stefan Chomka

A no deal Brexit could wipe up to £5.4bn off the forecasted value of the UK’s eating out market, according to economic estimates by MCA Insight.

UKHospitality warns of 'inherent risks' to prospective immigration system

27-Jun-2019 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has reiterated the need for the Government’s future immigration policy to prioritise supporting businesses to deliver economic growth over political considerations.

Review ordered into £30,000 post-Brexit salary cap

25-Jun-2019 By James McAllister

The Home Secretary Sajid Javid has ordered the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the proposed £30,000 salary threshold for EU migrants post-Brexit.

Government advised to relax chef visa rules

30-May-2019 By Sophie Witts

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has called for an end to restrictions preventing restaurants, pubs and hotels that offer a takeaway service from employing chefs from outside the EU.

Michelin maestro Alain Ducasse talks boats, Brexit and boutiques

22-Mar-2019 By Joe Lutrario

The world’s most Michelin-decorated chef has been busy launching a floating restaurant in Paris and a chocolate shop in London. We caught up with him last month in Paris’ Le Meurice over a special lunch cooked by three of his top chefs.

The Lowdown: Ibrahim Dogus

24-Jan-2019 By Joe Lutrario

A politician and restaurateur has received death threats for adding anti-Brexit messages to his customer's bills.

Government scraps £65 settled status fee for EU nationals

21-Jan-2019 By Sophie Witts

Theresa May has scrapped the £65 fee millions of EU nationals were going to have to pay to secure the right to remain in the UK after Brexit.

Brasserie Bar Co to pay for 'settled status' for EU staff

15-Jan-2019 By Sophie Witts

Raymond Blanc’s Brasserie Bar Co restaurant group is to pay for its non-British EU employees to apply for ‘settled-status’ in the UK after Brexit.

Carluccio’s to pay for ‘settled status’ for EU staff

07-Jan-2019 By Joe Lutrario

Carluccio’s is to pay for its 1,550 non-British EU employees to apply for ‘settled-status’ in the UK after Brexit.

UKHospitality issues warning over falling migrant numbers

12-Nov-2018 By Sophie Witts

The falling number of migrants working in the UK could result in ‘disaster’ for restaurants, hotels and pubs, UKHospitality has warned.

Restaurant leaders call for People’s Vote as Brexit is “the most important thing to happen to our industry in living memory”

08-Nov-2018 By Stefan Chomka

A group of leading restaurant figures, including Trevor Gulliver, Fergus Henderson, Mark Hix, Jeremy King, Ruth Rogers, Rick Stein, Paul Moran and Gary Usher are calling for support for a People’s Vote.

COMMENT

Comment: UK's post-Brexit immigration policy is highly damaging for hospitality

08-Nov-2018 By Gemma Jones

The Prime Minister’s immigration policy once the UK leaves the EU shows a lack of understanding about the hospitality sector, says Gemma Jones, co-head of immigration at legal experts SA Law

D&D London: “Bad Brexit will shift growth overseas”

25-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

A poorly managed Brexit could see D&D London shift its attention to overseas growth in the future, according to its chairman and CEO.