Vacancies downward trend ‘positive but more needs to be done'

Data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed the accommodation and food services activities sector saw a drop in vacancies of 9,000 – one of the largest decreases.

The research also revealed the rate of economic inactivity rate rose to 22.2% and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) highlighted the importance of the sector when it comes to employment.

CEO Emma McClarkin said: “The beer and pub sector is an economic bellwether for the nation’s economy, supporting 936,000 jobs – from the farmers growing malting barley and hops to the scientists and brewmasters crafting the beers and the landlords pulling pints.

“The sector is committed to creating jobs and providing critical economic growth across the country but in order to deliver this, we need flexibility on labour and to see a reduction in the cost of doing business."

Rates reform

She added: “The Chancellor​ highlighted the importance of supporting Britain’s beer and pub sector when she announced a five-point plan for pubs during the general election campaign​.

“Central to that plan was reforming businesses, which we and our members support and we are eager to see more detail.

“In the meantime, it is vital the 75% relief be maintained to provide the financial certainty businesses need to grow, while we look forward to establishing the sustainable tax and regulatory framework pubs need to thrive and keep creating local jobs.”

Fellow trade body UKHospitality (UKH) was optimistic about the drop in vacancies in the ONS figures.

Chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “It’s positive we are continuing to see a downward trend in vacancies across the hospitality sector and we hope to see this continue.

“However, the number of vacancies remains above pre-pandemic levels and it is clear more needs to be done.”

UKH has been working with the Department for Work and Pensions, training providers and businesses on a hospitality skills pilot scheme, which aims to help people who are currently unemployed into new roles in hospitality.

Skills pilot

Nicholls added: “With the number of economically inactive increasing, the Government should look to hospitality as a sector with a track record of helping people of varied ages, backgrounds and skillsets into employment.

“Our skills pilot with the Department of Work and Pensions was designed specifically to help those not working into new jobs and it was incredibly effective with eight in 10 successful participants securing a job.

“A permanent rollout of that pilot could be transformational in helping people into work and would allow hospitality to help the Government deliver its target of an 80% employment rate.

“Hospitality provides jobs for everyone and this scheme can help get people back into work as well as bearing down on persistent vacancies in the sector.”