UKHospitality has welcomed Andy Burnham’s plans to roll out an apprenticeship and skills scheme for 14-year-olds across the country, giving them free access to technical education and work experience.

The trade body highlighted the important role hospitality can play in giving young people much-needed employment training, but urged the PM to go further in his support for the sector by reducing VAT.

“It is great to see the government act to give young people more opportunities and, as the biggest youth employer in the UK, hospitality businesses are key to delivering,” said CEO Allen Simpson. “The plan for free apprenticeship training for all eligible under-25s is particularly welcome and reflects the value of in-place work experience and training, something hospitality does brilliantly. 

“However, to really move the dial, the unfair tax burden on hospitality needs to be reduced. A 10 percent VAT rate for hospitality will free operators to invest, create jobs, and drive economic growth.”

Plans to give school pupils the chance to combine core academic subjects with technical training linked to local jobs were announced last week, with the scheme due to be rolled out in 2028.

“I will commit, in my time in office, to get the number of young people who are not in education, employment, and training down,” said Burnham, during a visit to Derby.