Key facts
- Hilton estimates that integrating NEETs into the hospitality sector could generate £2.3 billion for the UK economy.
- The number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) in the UK rose year-on-year but decreased by 30,000 in the last quarter.
- UKHospitality stated that hospitality has lost 100,000 jobs due to past government policies.
- Reducing the cost of employment is seen as a key factor to stimulate job creation for young people in hospitality.
- The hospitality industry faces challenges including labour shortages, high staff turnover, and skills gaps.
Hilton has urged the UK government to encourage young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) into the hospitality sector, estimating that this initiative could inject £2.3 billion into the national economy. The hotel company believes that the hospitality industry is uniquely positioned to create jobs across all regions of the UK.
Recent figures from UKHospitality indicate that while the number of NEETs has risen year-on-year, there was a decrease of 30,000 in the last quarter, bringing the total to 981,000. Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, emphasized that reducing the cost of employment is crucial for stimulating job creation and opportunities for young people. He noted that government policies over the past two years have led to the hospitality sector shedding 100,000 jobs, citing nearly £5 billion in additional costs and a skills levy as significant barriers.
John Neilson, writing on LinkedIn, highlighted that the UK hotel and hospitality industry is grappling with persistent labour shortages, high staff turnover, and skills gaps. He proposed that hiring NEETs offers a viable solution, helping to address workforce shortages and promote social inclusion. Neilson suggested that by providing entry-level positions and structured training, hospitality employers can tap into an underutilised labor market and cultivate loyal employees.
Discussion