Edenred, the company at the centre of last year’s free school meal voucher fiasco has been awarded with a new government contract worth £190 million. On top of existing contracts worth £425 million. Following the furore last year around so many school children going hungry, the government's National Audit Office looked into the problems. They then reported that the … [Read more...]
Business minister says the future of the high street is residential
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng talking about the pandemic in an interview with The Times has said the future of the great British high street looks residential. Kwarteng told The Times: “One of the things I’m very keen that we get our heads around is the whole future of the high street. “In Staines high street (part of his … [Read more...]
Business minister warns social distancing in hospitality could remain for the rest of the year
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng in an interview with The Times today said social distancing in the hospitality sector could remain in place for the rest of the year to avert another lockdown. Kwarteng said that he believes some social distancing could be here for the duration of the year, quoting unnamed people in … [Read more...]
Golfing KP’s sought for conductor role
Demonstrations of gratitude are worth more to most people than almost anything else, and the most effective business leaders understand this, it is part of why they are successful. All endeavour requires a team to work cohesively towards a shared common goal, to have any chance of realising it. All members of that team also need to place the goal ahead of their own role in its … [Read more...]
After backfire with Rishi, did the real Gordon Ramsay stand up with Nihal Arthanayake
The recent chat between Rishi Sunak and Gordon Ramsay produced by HM Treasury’s PR team did not do either participant any favours. Brand Rishi was definitely dealt an adverse blow, Chef Ramsay marginally less so. Days after the video was released, Nihal Arthanayake, who presents his afternoon news and interviews show on BBC Headliners spoke with Gordon Ramsay. Both … [Read more...]
Tenders invited for £5 million catering at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has begun the search to find suppliers who can deliver nearly £5 million of catering services throughout the Games. With just over 500 days to go until the start of the Games, the official procurement process to find catering suppliers who will provide services to all spectators, athletes, officials, volunteers, and workforce, has … [Read more...]
Chancellor delivers pleasing second half performance
The Prime Minister’s roadmap and timelines to exit from lockdown have been backed by economic support from the chancellor. Rishi Sunak yesterday outlined numerous measures taken that will help hospitality businesses better navigate the PM’s roadmap and timelines including... 5% VAT Rate Extension – Continued Business Rates Holiday - Furlough Scheme Extended – Increased … [Read more...]
Deliveroo backs the chancellor’s budget with £5 billion London listing
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s budget included the completion of a review of listing rules designed to make it more attractive for businesses, particularly technology innovators to list on the London Stock Exchange. The changes provide listings with easier eligibility to join blue-chip FTSE indices, which attract wider investment than normal London exchange listings. As the … [Read more...]
Leading hospitality apprenticeships provider welcomes budget announcements
Rishi Sunak earlier today announced an additional £126 million in England for high quality work placements and training for 16-24 year olds in the 2021/22 academic year. Extending and increasing payments made to employers that hire new apprentices. Employers who hire a new apprentice between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021 will receive £3,000 per new hire, compared … [Read more...]
Full details of the Budget 2021 for hospitality
The Chancellor's full budget document can be downloaded at HM Treasury, so as soon as Rishi Sunak concluded his budget statement we did. There are 107 pages of detail and from that we have published full details of all that relates specifically, and some peripherally, to hospitality below. We have not added any comment or analysis, that's coming later, just the exact wording … [Read more...]
Budget highlights for hospitality
The chancellor is still presenting his budget to MP's in parliament, so far the highlights for hospitality are: Furlough The chancellor has confirmed that the furlough scheme will be extended until the end of September. Presenting details to MPs in parliament Sunak said: "For employees, there will be no change to the terms – they will continue to receive 80% of their … [Read more...]
Budget needs to recognise 3 million forgotten entrepreneurs
There will be circa 3 million self-employed entrepreneurs watching the budget this afternoon, all hoping for an eleventh hour reprieve in financial support from the chancellor. The 3 million group comprise many segments of self - employment status, from PAYE freelancers to company directors. Timing and longevity is what most impacts all in this group, as becoming … [Read more...]
What can hospitality expect from an eagerly awaited budget
In what must be the most eagerly awaited budget in recent times Rishi Sunak will later today unveil the details in his latest budget. While we must all wait for those critical details, some of the outline of what will be announced has already been provided. Training The government currently provides companies with payments of £2,000 per trainee, this is expected to rise to … [Read more...]
Irish classified as ‘Undesirable Guests’ and banned by Pontins
Two inews.co.uk reporters have uncovered a document on the Pontins intranet advising all staff that they can no longer accept bookings from people with popular Irish surnames. The document titled – UNDESIRABLE GUESTS - informs people working with Pontins as follows: “Please be aware that several guests are unwelcome at Pontins, however some of these will still try and book – … [Read more...]
House of Representatives approve $25 billion of support to revitalise US hospitality
The House of Representatives has approved President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill and within it $25 billion of support for US hospitality businesses. The President’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund will provide restaurants, cafes, and bars with 20 or less venues with grants equal to the difference between 2020 and 2019 revenue, up to $10 million per company and … [Read more...]
Kwasi Kwarteng indicates 5% VAT extension and wider support will be announced tomorrow
During interviews with the BBC earlier today, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng has set expectations by revealing key elements of the chancellor’s budget tomorrow. Speaking on BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio 4 the business secretary said that support for business, including furlough and the VAT cut for hospitality will continue … [Read more...]
Rishi needs to avoid following Boris down the middle of the road
Boris Johnson’s recent roadmap was driven straight down the middle of the road, for many it was overly cautious, for others prudent, and for some reckless. It did, at least at the time, achieve his political objective in trying to keep most people sanguine, if not entirely happy. The chancellor needs to at the very least adopt the same objective tomorrow in his budget, but … [Read more...]
