Hospitality vacancies could reach 163,000 over Christmas, study finds
According to Stint, one of the key staffing issues the pandemic has created is bar staff, waiters and concierges not returning from furlough
Hospitality vacancies could reach as high as 163,000 over Christmas as the UK continues to be hit by an employment crisis, according to new analysis of ONS vacancy data by Stint, a student work app.
It analysed the last 10 years of vacancy data and used a forecasting model to calculate that available jobs this December could be up to 75,000 higher than two years ago.
While the number of vacancies in the hospitality industry has been increasing year-on-year, often peaking towards the close of the year, the pandemic has reportedly “exacerbated” this problem, leaving hospitality businesses short staffed over the busy Christmas period.
According to Stint, one of the key staffing issues the pandemic has created is bar staff, waiters and concierges not returning from furlough.
Over the last six months of furlough, the number of those in the sector accessing the scheme fell by 831,000, yet during the same period hospitality vacancies increased by almost 100,000.
Rather than returning to the industry, Stint said it is believed many have seemingly “moved on”, with 151,000 industry jobs currently available in the sector, according to the most recent ONS data.
Stint is now calling on the Government to raise the Employer National Insurance Contribution threshold above the rate of inflation, to help businesses increase wages above the rising cost of living and therefore attract more employees.
Sol Schlagman, CEO and co-founder of Stint, said: “The hospitality industry could be facing a second tough Christmas if these staffing holes aren’t plugged in time. We are trying to help, providing full-time staff with support from Stint’s students, but we can’t do it alone.
“That’s why we’re calling on the Government to encourage businesses to invest in their staff by raising the National Insurance Contribution threshold. The additional money granted to businesses will then help attract and keep the best talent.”
