DELIVERING A PROGRESSIVE, PROSPEROUS AND DYNAMIC COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR UK HOSPITALITY

That this House recognises the contribution of the hospitality industry to the economic and social life of the UK, as a sector adding £23 billion to the UK's GDP annually, and directly employing 1.6 million people, which is around seven per cent of the total private sector workforce; notes that in 2016 it was responsible for creating 30 per cent of all new jobs across the UK, and is a key partner to the Government in helping to deliver the national living and minimum wages and jobs to young people, and developing better skills, training and apprenticeships to the UK workforce; is aware that the hospitality sector's fortunes are affected by numerous Government policy areas and departments, from the Home Office, HM Treasury, the Department for International Trade, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education; wishes to highlight the contribution of the sector to a diverse range of Government stakeholders, enabling the proliferation of both an economic and a social force for good; as a result, believes that the Government should take a holistic approach to the industry to protect the critical growth of the sector, and ensure that the UK, after leaving the EU, continues to flourish; and commends such an approach in order that the sector is harnessed to work with Government effectively.