IoH action call to new government

The Institute of Hospitality has submitted a list of objectives in the form of an open letter to the new government which will shortly be elected in the UK.

In the letter, the Institute says that it wants, among other things, a re-instatement of post-study work visas for non-EU students to allow them to continue to work in the UK for up to two years and an end to the “demonisation” of zero-hour contracts which, it maintains, have their place in hospitality and do suit certain types of employees.

“Yes, exclusivity clauses should be outlawed, but it should be recognised that amongst a range of employment agreements used in our industry, zero hours contracts have their place,” said the letter.

The Institute admits in its letter that the often-demanded cut in VAT rates which the industry is desperate to see is “not going to happen any time soon”, but it does point out:

“…the Chancellor George Osborn did create a tax break to encourage businesses to modernise, refurbish and expand. The Annual Investment Allowance has been increased to £500,000 until the end of 2015. This deadline now needs to be extended to allow hotel and restaurant owners the necessary time to plan refurbishment programmes and improvements.”

The letter also says that the Institute is proud to be involved with the Trailblazer Apprenticeship scheme, which is available to businesses in England, and it called for the membership of the GB Tourism Council to be widened to include foodservice companies.