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5th December 2023

BBPA reacts to new migration regulations

Reacting to today’s Government announcements on migration regulation, Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said:

“Whilst the hospitality sector continues to work hard to recruit and train staff from the domestic workforce, the Government’s changes to the immigration system which will make the recruitment of skilled overseas workers harder and will be a blow for many pub businesses. This will compound the existing shortage of chefs and kitchen staff in hospitality, and hold back sector growth, as the salary increase will make it untenable for many businesses to recruit from overseas alongside the associated costs and complexities that apply alongside this.

“The Government need to consider ways to reduce the overall costs and complexities of the immigration system, recognising that many businesses in this sector are SMEs and a balanced immigration strategy that addresses concerns on overall numbers but also fuels growth and supports British businesses.

“As we enter the festive season, staff shortages in pubs can be exacerbated and skilled roles such as chefs and kitchen staff can be even harder to recruit the best staff.

“We support the Government’s ambition of expanding the Youth Mobility Scheme, but this must be done at pace. We also need greater flexibility in the use of the apprenticeship levy, so that it can be used for a range of training options that will develop recruits from the domestic workforce.”

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview contact press@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199

About the British Beer & Pub Association
The BBPA represents businesses 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

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For more information or to arrange an interview contact press@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199

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