Today the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the Government’s response to updating consumer protection in the package travel sector. The response, from the Department of Business, Innovation, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), outlines how BEIS and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will review the operation of the Package Travel Directive after six and twelve months. The Government will also continue dialogue with the Tourism Alliance and other key stakeholders, including the BBPA. Alongside the Tourism Alliance, the BBPA is looking forward to the opportunity to assess how much protection is needed for a domestic package which does not require travel, by rail or coach for example, and how the tourism industry could be helped to be more productive. Pubs and other local businesses who work together to create appealing offers to UK tourists should not be discouraged from doing so by the cost of bureaucracy. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, today commented: “Pubs are a hugely important part of the UK tourism market, and in recent years more and more pubs have begun to offer rooms. “It is important that local businesses are allowed to work together to create compelling domestic tourism offers. A timely review of the Package Travel Directive enables the Government to examine the cost burdens being placed on businesses.”
Today the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and UKHospitality have published guidance to assist employers in the sector throughout the employment process. The guidance takes employers from the stage of recruiting a new employee to ending the employment relationship, and has been developed in combination with Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). The document provides tailored guidance for SMEs on a range of employment issues in the hospitality sector, from managing staff absence and discipline to providing equal opportunities. The publication also provides links to further information and tools from Acas, such as equality policy templates and template contracts, to support employers at every stage of the employment journey. Andy Tighe, Policy Director of the British Beer and Pub Association, commented: “The newly developed guidance is an excellent tool for employers, supporting you through every stage of the employment process. The jointly written guidance will help any new start up or established business deal with key employment-related issues.” Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “People are at the heart of the hospitality sector and it is crucial that employers have as much information as possible to ensure they remain compliant with the law in what is an increasingly complex area; and also foster a harmonious relationship with their employees. The advice that Acas provides is hugely beneficial and we would urge all hospitality businesses to follow the step-by-step guide and ensure that they access the expert guidance available.” Tom Neil, Acas Senior Guidance Adviser, said: “Some employers within the hospitality industry want to grow their businesses but hesitate in case they misinterpret employment law. This new guide is simple to use and will help small business owners get the basics right when it comes to recruiting, settling and managing staff. “A better understanding of the law can make all the difference between managing staff well and potentially facing a costly and stressful employment tribunal if things aren't handled correctly.” The guidance can be found here.
Today the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the publication of the Department for Transport’s ‘Beyond the horizon – the future of UK aviation: next steps towards an aviation strategy’, the document outlines how the upcoming Aviation Strategy will help the UK’s important tourism sector, which supports the UK’s pubs and brewing industry. The BBPA welcomes the Government’s support for Tourism and the clear desire to welcome visitors to the UK. The ‘Next Steps’ considers the importance of infrastructure connecting roads and rail to airports and is very much part of the Government’s strategy to encourage visitors to reach all parts of the UK. Pubs are important tourist destinations; more than half of tourists visit a pub whist staying in the UK, and pubs are listed as the third most popular UK tourist destination. Overseas visitors also drink our beer, want to try it again when they are home and this is good for brewing exports, worth £595 million to the UK economy in 2017. There is a section on alcohol consumption at airports. The BBPA has been engaged with the Home Office for some time on this issue and supports the extension of the Licensing Act to airside. Of course, BBPA members who operate at airports all use the same high standards as they do in pubs across the country. We are helping airports interested in many of the partnership schemes run by the industry, but it is vital that airports and airlines work together to find the right solutions. The publication is clear that immigration at airports is a vital part of our welcome and we must ensure that the use of electronic entry continues once we leave the EU. The BBPA also welcomed the Budget consultation on APD and VAT on tourism as both are vital to our competitiveness in a world market. Brigid Simmonds OBE, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, commented: “The BBPA will be working closely with the Department of Transport and other Government departments to ensure pubs are supported by the UK’s upcoming Aviation Strategy. As the UK leaves the EU and looks to trade with the rest of the world, a bold Aviation Strategy will help UK brewers sell their world-class beer across the world and keep the UK an attractive place to visit.”
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