Hospitality Sector Fires on Liz Truss Over Sliding Deck of Debt
Picture a bustling pub, a sunrise of new VAT rates, and a chef trying to finish a steak before the electricity bill arrives. That’s the reality Liz Truss just handed over to the hospitality industry. The sector is spewing frustration as businesses, still nursing the pandemic‑induced wounds, face a double whammy: mounting debts and a sizzling energy crisis.
Business Leaders Aren’t Holding Out Hope
- Michael Kill, CEO of NTIA, slammed the Prime Minister’s plan as a “half‑measure package” that feels more like a post‑pandemic lull than a bailout.
- He insists the government needs “concise, immediately accessible, and proportionate” support—no drip‑fed funding or half‑hearted pledges.
- Kill warns that if the government’s indecisiveness continues, “thousands of jobs are at risk in the coming weeks.”
Connor Campbell Breaks the Energy Ice
From NerdWallet, Connor Campbell headlines that the energy price cap freeze will fall short for many businesses. He says:
“The Prime Minister has a pile of economic challenges to tackle, and time is ticking.
Even with an energy plan, firms will still see much higher gas and electricity costs than last winter—racing them toward temporary or permanent closures if no further support arrives.”
He calls on the government to:
- Outline grant or subsidy details and decide who gets the cash.
- Clarify the source of funds, especially since windfall taxes appear off the table.
- Answer whether the assistance will be debt‑free or come with repayment terms.
Industry’s Big “Where’s the Money?” Question
Prime Minister’s Questions have pulled a double‑header: the hopeful promise of support and the harsh nuts-and-bolts of funding sources. No mention of a corporate tax hike, and the business community wants concrete answers.
In short, for hospitality to keep serving drinks and dinners without going off‑shelf, the government needs to pull out the big spending deck, and do it fast.
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