Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran called on the Prime Minister to
back the struggling hospitality sector at PMQs today by
introducing a COVID Recovery Visa.
The Oxford West and Abingdon MP raised the case of Kevin, a hotel
manager in her constituency, who told her that even when the
country fully opens up, his hotel “won’t be able to operate at
full capacity due to chronic staff shortages.”
Moran said the sector has been hit by a triple whammy of the
pandemic, Brexit and the new immigration system: uncertainty in
the sector due to the Government’s handling of the pandemic
meaning workers are leaving for other jobs; Brexit means many EU
citizens have left the UK; and the new immigration system means
hospitality businesses can’t recruit enough people from
abroad.
The introduction of a recovery visa has also been called for by
UKHospitality.
Speaking after PMQs,
said:
“Our hospitality sector needs the Prime Minister’s backing if
we’re going to make the most of this summer season to save the
industry and boost the local economy. So I was incredibly
disappointed he won’t listen to hotel managers like Kevin. He has
failed to fix a problem of his own making.
“I hope today was his wake up call. Hoteliers, restaurateurs,
publicans and others all need this Government’s support. The
Prime Minister’s completely avoidable need to delay the end of
lockdown, his botched handling of Brexit and his damaging
immigration system have dealt heavy blows to a vital part of our
local economy.
“Of course we need to encourage more young Brits to enter
hospitality, but needs to help the sector recruit the staff they need
to survive, grow and create jobs. I hope he’ll join me in backing
our hospitality industry and introducing a COVID Recovery Visa
without delay.”
