Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

UK Hospitality warns sector faces being taxed out

Published: 07 July, 2025

UK Hospitality has warned the Prime Minister that hospitality is in danger of being taxed out, with the sector having lost 69,000 jobs since the Budget.

EPR fees announced as joint statement laments changes

Published: 30 June, 2025

The delayed details of the official cost per tonne of glass as part of the government’s EPR scheme have been announced by DEFRA.

UKH: Industrial Strategy a missed opportunity to support hospitality

Published: 23 June, 2025

The government’s announcement of its new Industrial Strategy has been met with frustration from figures inside the hospitality trade. UKHospitality has noted that the sector is among the industries not included in the Strategy’s energy bill reduction plan.

Over 100,000 job losses since April NICs increase

Published: 11 June, 2025

New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) can reveal that the number of payrolled employees decreased by 109,000 in May compared to the previous month. The employment drop comes after April’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs) policy changes.

Joint statement bemoans impact of EPR on hospitality

Published: 27 May, 2025

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, a coalition of leading pub, hospitality and brewing bodies has laid out its concerns regarding the cost and impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy.

Research shows hospitality has worst hourly pay of any UK industry

Published: 22 May, 2025

Analysis of ONS data on average hours worked and median average pay by experts at money.co.uk shows that the hospitality sector offers the worst hourly pay of any UK industry.

Hopes licensing review can cut red tape for hospitality

Published: 07 April, 2025

A new working group, which includes industry body UKHospitality (UKH), has been announced by the UK government to look into how to reduce barriers in the country’s licensing system.

UKH: Narrow focus on growth leads to poor social outcomes

Published: 24 March, 2025

Analysis from UKHospitality’s (UKH) new Social Productivity Index highlights that the most economically productive sectors deliver the least social value. By contrast, sectors such as hospitality, are most effective at delivering growth more evenly across the country, ensuring social and geographic accessibility.

‘Nonsensical’ EPR rules will cost millions, say hospitality businesses

Published: 20 March, 2025

Under the umbrella of UKHospitality (UKH), leading pub and hospitality businesses have written to Defra Secretary of State, Steve Reed, pushing back against a significant flaw in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.

Mounting costs drive hospitality confidence to two-year low

Published: 12 March, 2025

Hospitality business confidence has hit a low not seen since October 2022, when inflation peaked at a 40-year high.

Hospitality trade sees growth again in December

Published: 13 February, 2025

New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) can reveal hospitality had another strong month in December 2024, with output for the food and drink sector growing 2%. This made it the largest contributor to growth for the wider consumer-facing services industry.

Hospitality sector warns of ‘devastating impact’ of national insurance increase

Published: 21 January, 2025

The changes to employer national insurance contributions (NICs) will see more than 774,000 workers newly eligible for the contributions. This figure represents almost 63% of workers who were previously ineligible. UKHospitality predicts this could cost the hospitality sector up to £1bn.

Scottish Budget: thousands of venues miss out on rates relief

Published: 20 January, 2025

The introduction of 40% business rates relief for hospitality venues in Scotland with a rateable value of up to £51,000 will be a welcome introduction for many but could see more than 2,500 businesses ineligible for the scheme.

Food & drinks sector shows strong November growth

Published: 16 January, 2025

The food and drinks sector was the largest contributor to the 0.1% growth seen in the overall services industry during November, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The services industry itself was the largest contributor to growth in the British GDP during the month.

Hospitality sector braces for 'ambitious employment reforms'

Published: 27 November, 2024

A number of significant changes to the UK's employment landscape, including proposals to get people back into work and training, has received a mixed response from key stakeholders in the hospitality industry.

UKHospitality lobbies government to mitigate 'unprecedented damage' caused by Labour Budget

Published: 11 November, 2024

Leading members of the UK's hospitality sector have written to the Chancellor, warning of “business closures, job losses and cancelled investment” unless immediate action is taken.

Government backs down on outdoor smoking ban for hospitality

Published: 05 November, 2024

The UK government has confirmed that hospitality venues, including outdoor areas of pubs and bars, will not face new smoking restrictions, following industry outcry over potential impacts on trade.

Hospitality faces £2,500 rise in staff costs following Budget changes

Published: 01 November, 2024

The Autumn Budget’s employment tax measures will raise the cost of employing full-time staff by at least £2,500, according to an analysis released by UKHospitality.

Budget sparks criticism with new alcohol duty reforms

Published: 30 October, 2024

The UK’s Autumn Budget, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has announced significant changes to alcohol duties, drawing sharp criticism from the alcohol and hospitality industries.

Chancellor announces pay rise, adding £1.9bn to hospitality wage bill

Published: 30 October, 2024

The hospitality sector is facing a substantial increase in operating costs as the Chancellor confirms a 6.7% rise in the National Living Wage, set to take effect in April 2025. The uplift will raise the hourly rate from £11.44 to £12.21, directly impacting more than 3 million workers and adding an estimated £1.9bn to the hospitality sector’s wage bill.