• Simon Jupp MP (East Devon), Chair of the Hospitality and Tourism APPG   

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hospitality and Tourism is launching an inquiry into ‘recruitment and retention of staff in hospitality’.

The inquiry into ‘recruitment and retention of staff in hospitality’ will explore the reasons behind high vacancy rates, ask what more the sector can do and make a series of recommendations to government.

Why now?

As a sector, hospitality has made significant steps in recent years to improve the retention and development of its staff, including a number of initiatives to promote best practice, such as the Wellbeing Promise and the Hoteliers Charter.

However, with there still being more than 100,000 vacancies in the industry and staff turnover in many hospitality businesses being higher than is sustainable for profitable trading, the APPG will look at what more the sector can do, such as improving staff wellbeing and flexible working and make a series of recommendations to government on where it can support.

To inform its recommendations, the APPG will be holding evidence sessions with key stakeholders, undertake venue visits, and will also be accepting written evidence from all those with an interest in the issue.

The APPG is seeking answers to the following questions:

Retention

Workers in hospitality roles often leave within a few months and many within the first year. Does the industry have a retention problem? And, if so, why?

Recruitment
The industry has more than 100,000 vacancies and shortages have remained a persistent issue for businesses for several years. What are the barriers businesses are facing when it comes to recruitment and finding the staff they need?

Perception of the sector
One in five UK adults consider hospitality an appealing industry to work in – what can the sector and government do to change the perceptions of a sector that offers rewarding careers and rapid progression, to make the sector more appealing?

Domestic recruitment
Historically, hospitality has been able to fill vacancies with workers from overseas: as a sector how is the industry balancing the Government's emphasis on encouraging business to utilise UK-born workers with the need to deliver a high-quality experience for customers and guests?

Staff wellbeing
The sector has introduced numerous initiatives to support the mental health and wellbeing of its staff, such as the Hospitality Wellbeing and Development Promise and Hoteliers' Charter. How successful have these industry initiatives and action taken by businesses been, and what can be done?

Zero-hour contracts
As a sector, many hospitality business utilise zero-hour contracts, what impact do you think this has on the recruitment and retention of staff? 

Give your views to the inquiry

The deadline for submissions of written evidence is Friday 14 June, and should be no longer than 1,500 words.

Submit your evidenc to the APPG

Simon Jupp MP (East Devon), Chair of the Hospitality and Tourism APPG, said: “Staffing challenges in hospitality and tourism has continually been raised by businesses as a persistent problem that negatively impacts trading.

“Given how important the people who work in hospitality and tourism are to the experiences they help deliver, it’s important that the APPG takes the time to investigate this issue.

“I’m pleased to launch this inquiry today and I want businesses and representatives of the sector at its heart, to enable the members of the APPG to understand the issues and make appropriate recommendations to government on where it can support.

“This is a broad inquiry and I hope to hear from as many people involved in hospitality and tourism as possible.”