Taxpayer Could Save Millions if Hotels Replaced MPs’ Second-Home Allowances
05 Jun 2009
The hospitality industry has called on the Government to save taxpayers millions of pounds each year by changing MPs’ second-home allowances to hotel stays.
As the row from the expenses scandal continued, Travelodge suggested MPs could save at least £5m each year by abolishing their second home allowance and instead staying at its property in Southwark, near the House of Commons.
Mandatory Code “Unnecessary and Unwelcome”
05 Jun 2009
The government has revealed the latest plans for a controversial mandatory alcohol retailing code to yet further furore from the industry. As expected the code focuses heavily on the on-trade and includes measures forcing pubs to offer 125ml measures of wine and free tap water.
However, the leading trade body the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers called the code “unnecessary and unwelcome” and accused the Home Office of being “arrogant and out of touch”, The proposed two-tier code, which will now be subject to a 12-week public consultation, included:
Hospitality Industry Losing Out On £100m
05 Jun 2009
Currently the hospitality industry is losing out on £100 million a year. This is all down to the lack of gluten free options on menus. People who suffer with Coeliac disease cannot eat gluten (found in wheat, barley and rye and sometimes oats) because this could result in bowel cancer or infertility.
Budget Does Little to Help Licensed and Hospitality Industry
07 May 2009
Alistair Darling's budget has been slammed by industry leaders who cite it as“ The death warrant for thousands of Britain’s pubs and for tens of thousands of British jobs.
The budget has been savaged in particular as a budget which does “Little for Small Businesses.”
UK Maintains Opt-Out to EU Working Time Directive
07 May 2009
The United Kingdom has retained its opt out clause to the EU's working time directive which sought to prevent them from voluntarily exceeding a 48 hour week. Now employees, including those in the hospitality/licensed/leisure industry will be allowed to
work for more than 48 hours per week if they wish.
Pub Closures Have Cost the Treasury £242m in a Year
07 May 2009
The Treasury is facing a black hole of a staggering £242m in lost tax revenue due to pub closures since the last Budget, according figures released by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).
The breakdown of official government statistics shows that each pub, on average, pays a tax bill of £107,000 a year, 30% of turnover, and that the pub sector’s total annual tax bill runs to £6.1b
Budget Chain Targets MPs to Reduce Expense Bill
07 May 2009
Travelodge has written to the Speaker of the House Commons highlighting the savings that MPs could make by staying with Travelodge in London rather than in a second home.
The average cost per MP for their second home allowance is £17,693 but staying at Travelodge London Southwark Monday to Thursday nights whilst Parliament is sitting would cost a maximum of £10,065. With the Southwark hotel being only two Underground stops from Parliament, MPs would be able to come back easily and safely from late night sittings.
There Has Never Been a Better Time to Visit the UK
07 May 2009
Tourism businesses in the UK are urging visitors from overseas to take advantage of the exceptional value currently on offer. Prices are up to 30% less than last year, due to the strength of the Euro and dollar against the pound.
Eating Out Under More Pressure As Supermarket Sector Steps Up ‘Meal Deal’ Offers
07 May 2009
Consumers are increasingly opting for supermarket ‘meal deals’ which typically offer a meal for two for £10 or under, rather than eating out in a restaurant, according to Horizons’ QuickBite research.
Budget 2009 - "A Slap In The Face For Hard Working Licensees"
07 May 2009
The Chancellor has been slammed by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers for continuing to ignore the plight of Britain’s pubs and bars in this year’s Budget. Not only did the Budget confirm 2% increases in alcohol excise duties - this despite pubs and bars closing in record numbers over the past year - but it failed to offer any form of help and support to beleaguered licensees struggling to stay afloat.
Hotel Insolvencies Climb As Hoteliers Face Tough Year
07 May 2009
Hotels in the UK are in for a “rough ride” for the rest of the year, after insolvencies increased by 200% in the first quarter of the year.
Figures from consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers confirm that nearly 200% more hotel companies became insolvent in the first quarter of 2009 than in the same quarter a during 2008.
Restaurants & Catering Companies Bring in Calories on Menus
07 May 2009
Eighteen major catering companies, including many high street brands, will introduce calorie information on their menus for the first time.
The list of trailblazers, announced today by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo and the Food Standards Agency started displaying calorie information from the end of April.
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