Following a joint submission to the Migration Advisory Committee alongside the British Institute of Innkeeping, Emma McClarkin Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said:
“Amidst a backdrop of staff vacancies, we are pleased to provide evidence and feedback to this consultation as we urgently need effective solutions to ensure our industry can recruit talented, skilful and passionate people that are the lifeblood of pubs and breweries in communities across the UK.
“As a sector we are already working hard to overcome staffing issues, increasing salaries, offering accommodation, and developing new training opportunities to name a few, but there is only so much we can do within the regulatory constraints and structural shortages in the UK workforce that currently exist.
“Vacancies tend to be highest in kitchen-based roles, limiting pubs’ ability to offer certain menu items, or in some cases serve any food at all, taking away vital income streams at an acutely difficult time for hospitality more generally. We are urging the Government to include Chefs on the Shortage Occupation List so skilled workers from overseas can easily take up roles in pubs across the country and help pubs operate to their full capacity, run profitable businesses, and continue to serve their communities.”
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Jessie Powell at press@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199
Notes to editors:
About the British Beer & Pub Association
The BBPA represents UK companies which between them brew over 90% of the beer sold in the UK and own 20,000 pubs.
Our members include international companies, national and local brewers and pub businesses operating managed and tenanted pubs in cities, towns and villages across the country.
These businesses are at the heart of communities and local economies and include family businesses who have been brewing beer and running pubs for hundreds of years alongside emerging brewers and pub operators.
· The UK’s beer and pub industry supports close to 940,000 jobs
· The industry adds £26.2billion to the UK’s economy each year
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Jessie Powell at press@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199