Labour calls for support to help struggling hotels

Hospitality businesses have missed out on more than £3bn this winter, according to the Labour Party.

New analysis by Labour has suggested the amount spent by overseas visitors to the UK has plunged by 80 per cent over the last few months, as the pandemic continues.

According to Labour, this means businesses particularly reliant on income from tourists will have seen their income dented above and beyond other businesses in the UK, including 23,500 hotels, B&Bs, camping grounds and hostels; 39,000 pubs and bars; 2,200 zoos, amusement parks and historical sites; 35,500 restaurants; and hundreds of thousands of shops.

Labour has called for more than £2bn returned to the Treasury by supermarkets in unneeded business rates relief to boost support for those businesses that do need it, as well as for those who have fallen through the cracks in government support.

‘Businesses across the UK are facing a black hole this winter with billions wiped from their incomes during the crucial Christmas period,’ said shadow business secretary, Ed Miliband.

‘Those businesses in our visitor economy are facing not only the effects of restrictions here, but the huge loss of spend from tourism to the UK. Our hotels, hospitality and high streets will be especially hard hit.

‘Unless ministers change tack a winter wipe-out of these usually vibrant businesses is a real possibility. They must do the right thing and see them through to the end of this crisis.’

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