Industry responds to Labour victory
The Labour Party secured its expected landslide victory, winning 411 seats.
Senior industry figures have been responding to the overnight election result. The Labour Party secured its expected landslide victory, winning 411 seats with just five left to be announced at the time of writing. The Conservatives collapsed to 120 while the Liberal Democrats won a historic 71.
UKHospitality
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “We need to see action in the first 100 days. Delivering on manifesto commitments to replace business rates and reform the Apprenticeship Levy would be a clear sign that the government backs hospitality as the central pillar of the everyday economy.
“Swiftly addressing business rates would fulfil a longstanding ask of the sector and avoid a cliff-edge in April, when current relief is set to end and rates are due to increase again.
“Hospitality, with its presence in every constituency, can act as a powerhouse for driving economic growth, creating new jobs and regenerating our towns and cities. I look forward to working in partnership with the new government to help deliver its manifesto commitments and realise hospitality’s growth ambitions.”
Zero Carbon Forum
Mark Chapman, founder of the Zero Carbon Forum, commented: “Labour has committed to clean power and pledged to decarbonise the power system by 2030, which is a positive and necessary step. However, the energy transition will reduce about half of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. The other half can only be addressed by transforming to a regenerative food system and adopting a circular approach to how we make and use products and materials.
“The food and drink industry, which accounts for 35% of the UK’s carbon emissions, requires rapid and deep emissions reductions if we are to avoid the worst of the climate crisis. The impact of climate change and extreme weather is already being felt by the hospitality and brewing industry, through higher energy costs, interrupted supply chains and unpredictable sales.
"We hope the incoming government recognises the importance of a regenerative, net-zero food and drink industry, and commits to delivering sustainable, long-term outcomes that support a prosperous and resilient UK."
You may also be interested in…
