Hospitality Shock: Autumn Statement Misses Opportunity, Concerns Mount

Night‑Time Industry Boss Raises Red Flag About the Autumn Statement

After the latest Autumn Statement hit the desks of politicians and taxpayers alike, Michael Kill—the CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA)—has decided it’s time to speak up.

What the NTIA Wants From the Government

Transparency: “We need a clear, long‑term roadmap for the economy” says Kill.
Defined Relief Levels: “Just like during the pandemic, we want thresholds that show what’s considered safe and what isn’t.”
Alignment with the Prime Minister’s “Cut Taxes Over Time” plan: “It’s a start, but we’re missing the finish line.”

Why the Statement Missed the Mark

Hospitals (hospitality, not medical) are going belly‑up: 66% of businesses see insolvencies on a year‑on‑year basis. Kill argues the new policy dropped the ball on helping the lifeblood of the sector—small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Without heavy tax cuts, businesses are feeling the heat:

Fewer employees denying themselves a night out.
Fewer bars & restaurants flaring the lights for new customers.
Less capital available for fancy upgrades or that nightly jazz band you’ve always imagined.

“If we had a decent tax free blanket, businesses could breathe, grow, and get the investment rope back to the frontline,” Kill says. The short‑fall has essentially left businesses in a “panic,” the statement’s authors need to face the reality that a stronger economic cushion is not optional—it’s urgent.

Time to Light Up the Counters

NTIA hints that the government’s next move can’t just be talk. It’s time to swap the notion of “counters” for “counters‑in‑spite‑of” and set real policies that help businesses sleep easier and cook up a future in the night‑time economy.

Night‑Time Industries Association Calls Out Budget Shortfalls

In a sharper-than-usual press conference, Mr. Kill criticised the recent fiscal measures, arguing that the 75% business‑rates relief for smaller shops and eateries is lost to the rising national living wage.

Key Points of the Critique

Living Wage Surge – the increase will swallow the intended benefit, triggering a “tipping point” for many night‑time businesses.
No VAT Cut – the autumn announcement missed a chance to align the UK with European peers and boost investment.
Heavy Tax Burden – hospitality, nightlife, and creative sectors face record high taxes, far above other EU nations.
Alcohol Duty Freeze – only a one‑off measure, not a long‑term relief for an industry stuck with high royalties.
Full Expensing – beneficial mainly to the big players; small independents, which make up 60%+ of the industry, are largely untouched.

Mr. Kill’s Take

“The government’s talk of slow tax cuts is straw‑man. The real burden here is the astronomical tax load that friends and family feel every week.”

He stressed that “VAT reduction plus careful labor‑cost consideration would lift businesses’ morale and give them a real chance to plan ahead.”

Call for Transparency

Mr. Kill asked the Prime Minister: “What’s the long‑term tax‑cut strategy? How will the threshold for relief align with past pandemic measures?”

This demands transparency so that owners can make informed decisions in a crisis‑ready industry.

NTIA’s Broader Message

Demand collaborative policy for the night‑time economy.
Call for a firm grasp on sector hurdles to protect jobs and fuel growth.

“This budget is a glaring reminder that the government is still stuck in the doldrums,” Mr. Kill noted, “and the sector can’t afford to be held hostage by short‑sighted fiscal policy.”