With over 93,000 EU workers having left the UK’s hospitality sector in the last year, 60% of industry employers say they are now seeing more applications from UK workers than ever before. 

In a reverse of last year, when many workers took on temporary jobs in other sectors during forced closures, 67% of employers are seeing staff who left the hospitality industry during lockdown now return from other sectors, a statement from Caterer.com said. Also, over half (56%) have hired new staff from other sectors in the last three months.

In response to shifting demands from the labour market, the statement said, 58% of hospitality employers have increased their benefits package in the last year. Pay and work-life benefits currently offered include bonuses (80%), personal development programmes (81%), flexible shift patterns (83%) and free meals.

Kathy Dyball, director at Caterer.com, commented: “It is encouraging to see more UK workers entering the industry as people see the valuable, long-term employment opportunities hospitality can offer. However, talented EU workers remain an essential part of the sector’s success, and we join the industry in calling for the government to urgently make it easier for hospitality talent to return to the UK.”

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