By Sabela Ojea

 

UKHospitality said Friday that it is launching a plan mainly addressed to the U.K. government to tackle the industry's shortage of staff, linked to the lack of confidence in the sector amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The hospitality trade association said there is a current shortage in several roles, specially in front-of-house staff and chef positions, which is making it harder for new sites to open and forcing businesses to restrict their working hours.

UKHospitality said it urges the government to remove as early as possible all Covid-19 restrictions and to restore confidence in the sector.

The plan also seeks to engage with schools, colleges and universities to attract new employees and for the hospitality-and-tourism industry to launch a recruitment and retention campaign.

The association also proposes making permanent the reduced rate of value added tax and doubling the U.K.'s Employer National Insurance Contribution threshold.

 

Write to Sabela Ojea at sabela.ojea@wsj.com; @sabelaojeaguix

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 18, 2021 05:20 ET (09:20 GMT)

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