All Economics articles
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Weekend PressTourist taxes spread worldwide as governments cash in on travel boom
Cities and countries including Barcelona, Venice, Kyoto, Amsterdam and the Maldives have either introduced or raised visitor levies in recent years, the Financial Times reports
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Analysis & InsightSupply chain inflation sees ‘moment of calm’
Month-on-month foodservice inflation of 0.4% for August was described as a ‘relatively minor fluctuation’ ahead of likely future global volatility
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Analysis & InsightNight time sector shows tentative growth
The latest Night Time Economy Market Monitor reports the number of bars, clubs and other late-night venues grew by 0.4% between March and June 2026, the sector’s first growth in two years
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NewsHydes hit by cost pressures despite modest sales growth
The North west brewer and pub operator said profitability was hit by rises in the National Minimum Wage, higher employer National Insurance contributions and elevated energy costs
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Analysis & InsightRestaurant sales revive while pubs soften in August
While leading managed groups overall saw like-for-like sales up 0.8%, the sector showed a slight cooling of growth compared with July when the impact of the World Cup boosted takings
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NewsLabour minister admits tourist tax launched without assessing jobs impact
Local government minister Jim McMahon said the government had failed to carry out a formal national impact assessment of the levy and its effect on the economy
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NewsChancellor considering budget raid on higher stake slot machines
While John Healey is looking at raising gambling taxes, insiders say he wants to ensure any move does not hit traditional venues such as pubs, bingo halls or seaside arcades
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NewsMayors challenged to back VAT pledge
Labour mayors who argue a tourist tax is ‘normal’ because it exists in tourist destinations like Paris, Rome, Lisbon and Berlin, should get behind European levels of VAT, UKHospitality has argued
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Weekend Press‘People are eating less — restaurants must adapt’
Restaurant designer Afroditi Krassa tells The Times how a cultural shift is pushing places like Dishoom, Itsu and the Savoy to roll the dice
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OpinionVisitor levies may work in cities. The real test lies elsewhere
Jet-setting city-break visitors to English cities are unlikely to be put off by a tourist tax, with overnight levies already commonplace acorss Europe. The greater concern is for more price sensitive family staycations to coastal, rural and seasonal destinations which are already under pressure
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NewsHospitality leaders condemn tourist tax as latest blow to a sector at breaking point
Communities secretary Angela Rayner announced local and regional leaders will be able to introduce a percentage-based charge on overnight stays in hotels, holiday lets and B&Bs, with Labour mayors indicating they are likely to levy around 5%
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NewsBudget is ‘moment of change’ for sector
UKHospitality has made four key asks ahead of the upcoming Budget, but its calls to abolish the tourist tax seem to have fallen on deaf ears, with government proposals on the local levies to be set out this week
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Analysis & InsightSummer heatwave drives up utility costs for hoteliers
The RSM UK Hotels Tracker shows utilities expenses per occupied room of UK hotels rose from £8.45 in July 2025 to £9.15 in July 2026
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NewsWelsh government urged to cut business rates multiplier for hospitality
UKHospitality Cymru made the case that lowering business rates for the sector would be a simple and practical solution to reduce costs
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Analysis & InsightStrong performance across hospitality and leisure categories in August as consumer confidence improves
Spend across hospitality and leisure rose 3.3% last month, bolstered by marked improvement in the travel and entertainment segments
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NewsGovernment urged to cut business costs ahead of Budget
A report from the CBI found businesses paid almost £345bn in taxes during 2025-26, an increase of 12.7% on the previous year and equivalent to nearly a third of total UK tax receipts
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NewsDefra must step up food supply chain planning as risks grow
The National Audit Office has warned the UK’s food supply chain risks are “increasing in likelihood and severity”
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Analysis & InsightBusiness optimism down despite summer sales boost
Just 35% of leaders polled feel optimistic about prospects for their business over the next 12 months – down 16 percentage points since the start of the year, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey from NIQ and Zonal
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InterviewsParogon Group: ‘There’s been a significant shift in how people are dining out’
Co-founder Richard Colclough tells MCA the rise of GLP-1 use among diners has hit starter and dessert sales with the group responding by expanding its salad and healthy food options
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NewsVAT is a problem and Britain’s hospitality businesses are paying the price, warns top chef Tom Kerridge
Writing for The Mail, Kerridge said Labour ‘has now recognised that VAT is the lever to pull to drive footfall, support families and back hospitality businesses through its summer VAT scheme’