Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with hospitality businesses on the potential impact of employment costs on closures, opening hours and jobs.

The Government recognises the vital contribution of the hospitality sector to the UK, supporting local employment, sustaining high streets and communities, and playing an important role in our cultural and social fabric.

We work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues impacting business performance, through thematic working groups, which includes business resilience, innovation, jobs and skills and sustainability.

The Government is undertaking an extensive programme of engagement around implementation of the Employment Rights Act and broader Plan to Make Work Pay. This has been underpinned by a strong commitment to working in partnership with businesses and trade unions to ensure policy is firmly fair and practical for the economy.