In last week’s column, I mentioned a debate I recently attended on the hospitality sector. This felt like an important debate to be part of for several of reasons. <br />Hospitality is a major contributor to the UK’s economy and jobs, which makes the government’s decision to omit it as a growth area from its recent industrial strategy all the more baffling. In East Hampshire alone, hospitality accounts for about 200 outlets, employing approximately 2,000 people. <br />The sector has just withstood two very big blows. First, the cut in business rates relief has increased the fixed cost of businesses even before a pint has been poured. Second, the enormous increase in national insurance (NI) contributions has further strained operations. <br />
