Green Party NI respond to Chancellor’s hospitality initiatives

Green Party MLA Rachel Woods has called for an extension to the job retention scheme for at risk hospitality workers. 

Rachel said: “Hospitality workers need to know that their jobs are safe, their workplace is safe and that the industry will build back better with fairer pay and working conditions. 

“The Chancellor has announced a number of measures aimed at boosting the hospitality sector - including an “Eat Out out to Help Out” scheme for August and a temporary VAT cut for hospitality and tourism. 

“While these initiatives will give some support to businesses in the short term, I’m concerned that they only tinker around the edges. We need directed, long term support to protect the industry and our workers. 

“The focus should be on protecting the thousands of people employed by our hospitality sector - an overwhelmingly young workforce already burdened by low pay and insecure contracts in some businesses. 

“That’s why I’m calling for an extension to the job retention scheme for at risk hospitality workers before any more jobs are lost.”