UKH Cmyru welcomes new First Minister
Welsh Labour party leader Baroness Eluned Morgan was confirmed as first minster in a vote of Senedd members on Tuesday (6 August) morning. She is the first woman to hold the role.
The Welsh parliament was recalled from its summer recess for the dedicated meeting to vote for a new first minister after Vaughan Gething resigned as Welsh Labour leader last month.
Very welcome
UKH Cymru executive director David Chapman said: “I’d like to congratulate Eluned Morgan on becoming the new First Minister and I look forward to working with her to achieve hospitality’s potential.
“The new First Minister’s commitment to listening, partnership and economic growth is very welcome indeed.
“I hope we will enter a period of much-needed stability, where Government and businesses can work together to drive economic growth, regenerate our towns and cities, and create fulfilling jobs in Wales.
“Hospitality can be the central pillar to achieving those goals, with a presence in every part of the country and its unique position at the heart of communities.”
Work and invest
Earlier this year, UKH Cymru called for the Welsh Government to raise it business rates relief from 40% to 75% using allocated funds from the UK Government.
The trade body claimed current plans left Welsh hospitality businesses in a more strained position than their English counterpart, with a typical pub more than £6,000 worse off and an average-sized coastal hotel at least £20,000 worse off.
Chapman continued: “Hospitality already serves Wales in so many ways and creates places where people want to live, work and invest, but we can do so much more.
“I hope the First Minister recognises that and puts our sector at the centre of Welsh Government’s economic and industrial policy.”
