A HOSPITALITY boss from Annandale this week hit out at the UK Chancellor’s spending review.
Stephen Montgomery, director of the Scottish Hospitality Group and owner of Our Place restaurant in Annan, says Rachel Reeves’ plans ignored his industry.
He said: “This statement does absolutely nothing to support the hospitality sector in Scotland or across the UK.
“We heard all about the spending plans, however nothing about helping those who will pay for it through taxes.
“On a day where we know that unemployment has risen, employers are holding off on recruitment, inflation has all but doubled, and the OBR having already halved the growth figure for 2025, the Chancellor offered nothing for the third largest employer in the country, who contribute billions every year in taxes to support the public sector.
“To help the economy to grow, you need business to grow, so yet again we see the sector let down by Rachel Reeves. The crippling increase in employers National Insurance contributions handed down in April is now one of the biggest strains on hospitality, along with the high VAT rate. “
