Andy Lennox - 'This budget was a disaster for hospitality'

Andy Lennox, who earlier this was re-elected to the Destination Management Board (DMB), which represents tourism across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, told the echo: "The Budget was a disaster for hospitality. I hoped the Government would finally listen and deliver. I’m sad to admit I was wrong."

Chancellor John Healey today announced an increase in gambling taxes to pay for business rates relief for high street firms.

(Image: Newsquest)

He said it would mean that 70,000 businesses would be taken out of paying rates altogether “meaning half of our shops, restaurants and gyms will now pay no business rates at all”.

Mr Lennox added: "Rates relief means little when employment and operating costs keep rising. What matters is the total bill landing on the doormat, and whether there’s enough left to keep people employed and the doors open and it’s helped just 2.9 per cent of Hospitality venues.

"The cavalry didn’t just fail to turn up. They ran away.

"Hospitality has been patient. We’ve put forward the evidence, explained the consequences and made the case for a VAT cut. We cannot keep running on warm words.

"To the MPs who have publicly backed a cut, thank you. Whatever your party, that support matters.

"To those who haven’t: don’t expect endless hospitality while staying silent about the policies putting us out of business.

"Perhaps it’s time the welcome on our doors reflected the support we get through yours."

Other measures include a £100 payment for millions of households to help with soaring energy bills.

The energy bills support package will cost £2.6 billion, with around 20 million households in council tax bands A to D receiving £100 from the Government this winter to help with the bills.

Key measures announced include:

• The freeze in fuel duty has been extended until July next year.
• Hiking machine games duty from 20% to 25% for higher-stakes gambling machines, with adult gaming centres and vape shops not benefting from business rate reliefs.
• The national minimum wage and national living wage will increase by 3.9% for 2.3 million workers.
• The £4.7 billion black hole in the defence investment plan will be funded, in part through taking money from capital budgets across Whitehall.
• An extra £10 billion of additional economic and military support to Ukraine, and half a billion in urgent military funding this winter.
• A new founders’ relief to encourage start-up businesses.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the budget is “not good enough, not strong enough, not bold enough” as the UK remains “overspent, overborrowed, overtaxed and drowning in an out-of-control welfare system".