NCASS’ Response to the Government’s Energy Crisis Plan

In these difficult and unpredictable times we are all experiencing significant price increases which are creating an even more challenging environment for NCASS members and all those working within the industry. We want to continue supporting our members to overcome these challenges, especially those regarding high energy prices.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement last week, the government is set to announce a plan to support businesses through the current economic situation. For NCASS, our members and everyone within the industry, this is only the beginning of the support required to continue to trade profitably. Whilst we await further details, a price cap would be undeniably beneficial for businesses and households, making energy prices more affordable as well as helping to reduce inflationary pressures, which we have begun to already see thanks to the fall in petrol and diesel prices.

On 14^th September, the Bank of England announced that UK inflation had eased to 9.9%, falling from 10.1% in July. This will help to ease the pressures on households; however, inflation remains close to a 40-year high. This ease was facilitated by the decrease in petrol and diesel prices, however, food and clothing have become more expensive, with everyday household essentials such as Baked Beans and Butter increasing in price by 42% and 29% respectively. As such, we will continue to inform and guide the government, lobbying on behalf of our members through our professional channels, in order to support you and the independent hospitality sector as a whole.

In order to do this, we will foster further discussions on:

• A hospitality VAT reduction that will support our members and the wider sector
• Advice and guidance relating to energy costs
• Taxation, energy and food costs
• Changes to street trading regulations and easements on events and markets
• Hospitality led regeneration and its importance to the government’s Levelling Up strategy
• Expanding the development of pilot projects that we are delivering to create opportunities for members and the wider hospitality industry
• Training programmes aimed at encouraging people to pursue career within the industry helping to ease staffing shortages
• Increasing work opportunities via the NCASS Emergency Catering Service within the utilities sector

We are also delighted to announce that we have engaged with a specialist utility broker who will be on hand to offer all NCASS members support, guidance and advice to secure the best possible energy prices. Further details on this will be made available over the coming weeks.

We will continue to grow our partnership deals over the next 12 months to further help with reducing business costs and increasing discount opportunities.

We will also continue to represent NCASS members at local and national government level, as well as raising the profile of our sector amongst influential stakeholders. In so doing, we will maintain a strong presence within the UK’s independent hospitality sector, engendering impactful and beneficial change for the industry.

We would like to convey a heartfelt thank you to all members who have shared concerns with us around the current economic challenges. We continue to feed them back to the relevant government departments and welcome your feedback. If you would like us to share your experiences with government, please get in touch.

You can keep and eye on further government updates here and stay up to date with industry news here.