Apprenticeship Levy
Martin Couchman OBE Deputy Chief Executive British Hospitality Association said: “We are pleased that 98 per cent of businesses will not be paying the apprenticeship levy because of the £15,000 payroll threshold announced in the Autumn Statement.
“We await details of how smaller businesses will be supported in training apprentices. We are pleased to see that a new employer led body will set apprenticeship standards and ensure quality, but note that the hospitality industry has already made a lot of progress in developing apprenticeship standards.”
Impact of the National Living Wage
Martin Couchman OBE Deputy Chief Executive British Hospitality Association said: “The introduction of the NLW from April 2016 will have a major impact on hospitality businesses’ finances so we are pleased to see a slight softening of costs through the decision to delay increases in auto enrolment pension contributions by 6 months from autumn 2017 and again in autumn 2018.”
Discover England Fund
Martin Couchman OBE Deputy Chief Executive British Hospitality Association said: “We were pleased to see the announcement of the new £40 million Discover England Fund to boost tourism, and the government’s recognition in the Autumn Statement of the contribution of the industry to the UK economy.”