More than nine in 10 hospitality workers are against the proposed rise in National Insurance contributions, according to a poll from hospitality recruiter Berkeley Scott.

The firm found that 92% of employers and people, earning less than £35,000 working in the leisure industry, opposed the rise.

Mark Darby, managing director of Berkeley Scott, says: “We are merely reporting the views of our candidates and their employers who are directly affected by the economy. From talking to them we know that they have listened to the arguments and formed their own opinions.

“What we are sensing is that people are worried. They have struggled last year in an industry that was heavily hit and feel that not only will they be financially worse off but that the number of potential vacancies will drop.”