UKHospitality: A clean slate?

Chief executive Kate Nicholls introduces UKHospitality’s new hygiene standards guide, and reacts to the government’s recent change of direction...

When we’re not fighting the sector’s corner in the face of unprecedented and mounting problems, UKHospitaility is getting on with what I suppose you could call its bread-and-butter work – the day-to-day stuff that might go unnoticed at the moment, but which is no less important. A perfect example of this behind-the-scenes effort is the updated version of the industry-recognised hygiene standards guide for all caterers that we’ve just launched in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

Sponsored by Food Alert, the new guide is the only recognised document for hygiene standards for the catering sector, and it is used by both industry and enforcement. It sets out advice and guidance for caterers on how to comply with their legal obligations and continues to be applicable throughout the UK, meaning a consistent and simple approach for companies operating across nations and environmental health officers. And it makes it quite clear that despite the welter of pressing issues threatening hospitality businesses right now, food safety and hygiene a top priority – probably the top priority – for all hospitality venues.

Yes, in spite of everything, this issue must remain top of the agenda, and the updated guide is the gold standard from which the industry should get its advice and guidance on complying with legislation. This is particularly true as rules and regulations continue to change, which is why we felt the guide required updating.

Making the guide work for all four UK nations was important, so I’m pleased we were able to work with the FSA and FSS to achieve a consistent approach to make complying with legislation easier. It’s worth noting, too, that UKHospitality, in partnership with government agencies, is the only industry body providing this kind of expertise.

That’s the good news, then. And while it’s tempting to end on that positive note, it would be remiss not to consider the implications for the hospitality industry of the recent autumn statement. While it was undoubtedly a pragmatic response that delivered stability in a turbulent market, it was missing one very important element: a long-term economic plan for growth.
UKHospitality and the wider sector is confident that ours is the industry best placed to lead the UK’s economic revival, and the role that hospitality businesses can play in driving growth mustn’t be ignored. But while the chancellor recognised that, nothing of any significance was forthcoming.

Nothing on the labour market or how businesses might recruit desperately-needed staff; little on skills, training existing staff or developing new people through; zilch on reform of the apprenticeship levy, which would have been would be music to the sector’s ears.

So, while the autumn statement was indeed a crucial intervention, providing some certainty for businesses over the next 12 months, contract catering firms now need further government support if they’re to be able to recruit at the levels necessary to return to viability and profitability, and to develop their operations. If not, this vital link in the hospitality sector chain could well break, inflicting yet more damage on the wider industry.

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