News / Hotels
Hoteliers urge government to relax post-Brexit rules
Hoteliers in Bristol are calling out for the government to make changes to rules created after Brexit.
Changes in employment law brought in by Brexit have meant that a large number of European workers, who returned to their native countries during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, have been unable to return to work in the UK.
Prior to Brexit, it is estimated that the UK’s hospitality sector employed more than 400,000 EU workers.
Today, EU employees make up 28 per cent of the UK’s hospitality workforce, compared to 42 per cent pre-pandemic, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Hoteliers in Bristol are calling out for the government to make changes to rules created after Brexit photo: Leonardo Hotels
Since Brexit, EU nationals now require a work visa to be employed in paid work in the UK if they do not have settled or pre-settled status.
Hoteliers are urging Jeremy Hunt, who is due to deliver his budget on March 15, to give them the power to boost the recovery of their businesses by recruiting the staff they desperately need.
Raphael Herzog, chair of Bristol Hoteliers Association, said Brexit, the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and high energy prices “have created the perfect storm” for the hospitality sector.
He said: “The past few years have been extremely challenging for the hospitality sector and there are still some huge difficulties to overcome.
“One of the biggest issue for us remains recruitment in some key areas of our businesses, such as chefs, food and beverage staff, room attendants and so on, which is why we think it is time for the government to look at relaxing some of the Brexit rules.
“This will help not only hotels and other hospitality providers, but many other sectors which have also been struggling with staff shortages, to help get Britain’s businesses back on their feet.
“The country is on its knees because of a shortage of staff in so many sectors, which is why we are urging the government to open up the EU borders more and give many British businesses the helping hand many of them so badly need.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Work begins on multi-million-pound hotel and retail development
- Bristol hotel named best in South West
- We need to declare a hospitality emergency
- The long and sorry saga of the Grosvenor Hotel
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