‘John Healey, if you’re listening, where’s my breathing space?’ Business owner Paul Bowen has criticised the Chancellor’s promise to give ‘breathing space’ through measures in his Budget. #budget #businesses #costofliving

BREAKING The OBR suggests that successive increases in the national living wage and the employment rights act will hit jobs It says the employment right act will have a ‘negative economic impact’ and hit businesses through ‘increased uncertainty, lost flexibility and higher Labour related costs’ It says that these will ‘more than offset’ any potential increase in productivity

The Budget was a disaster for Hospitality. I hoped the Government would finally listen and deliver. I’m sad to admit I was wrong. Rates relief means little when employment and operating costs keep rising. What matters is the total bill landing on the doormat, and whether there’s enough left to keep people employed and the doors open and this budget helped just 2.9% of Hospitality venues - and only just. The cavalry didn’t just fail to turn up. They ran away. Hospitality has been patient. We’ve put forward the evidence, explained the consequences and made the case for a VAT cut. We cannot keep running on warm words. To the MPs who have publicly backed a cut, thank you. Whatever your party, that support matters. To those who haven’t: don’t expect endless hospitality while staying silent about the policies putting us out of business. Perhaps it’s time the welcome on our doors reflected the support we get through yours. #Hospitality #CutVAT #VatinlinewithEurope

Only 1 day left4 @JohnHealey_MP & @andyburnham 2decide if they’re going 2back our Hospitality/Tourism sector with a serious VAT cut in line with the rest of Europe? We can’t invest,grow & regenerate young people job’s without it! @iromg thecaterer.com/news/four-in-…