Vacancies fall by 35k

This is down from 147,000 at the same time in 2022 – a drop of 35,000.

Current vacancies remain far higher than pre-pandemic levels, when there were 89,000.

UKHospitality (UKH) continues to call for measures that further enhance the sector’s ability to invest and develop its staff, primarily through reform to the Apprenticeship Levy.

The ever-rising cost burden for businesses also needs to be addressed, which is critical ahead of the National Living Wage increase in April.

Encouraging data

UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls said it was “encouraging” that vacancies over the past year had fallen by such a considerable amount.

This progress is a testament to hospitality businesses, she said, that have heavily invested in their recruitment and how they develop their own talent.

However, she believed there was still more to do. “We still have 23,000 more vacancies than before the pandemic and recruitment is still challenging. It’s why our vacancy rate remains high at 8%,” said Nicolls.

Drive down vacancies

She continued: “Hospitality can continue to drive down vacancies and create more jobs, if we are supported to do so.

“Reform of the Apprenticeship Levy would allow businesses to enhance their skills and development offering even further and is something the entire economy is supportive of.

“What’s incredibly pressing is reducing the cost burden for venues, which continues to be the driver of closures.

“The National Living Wage increase in April is at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now and measures to reduce business costs are critical to help venues with the increase wage cost this brings.”