Uncertainty for about 5,500 hospitality workers in Northampton despite Government job retention scheme

An estimated 5,510 hospitality workers in Northampton face uncertainty and unemployment despite a major Government jobs retention scheme, a trade union has warned.

With many restaurants, bars and hotels forced to close during the coronavirus pandemic, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has put in place multi-billion-pound measures to safeguard jobs.

But Unite is concerned that some companies are still choosing to lay staff off with many workers 'never more than a pay cheque away from the breadline'.

Ntional officer for hospitality, Dave Turnbull, said: “These figures show just how many people rely on the hospitality industry for employment, and the severity of the dangers the coronavirus crisis poses to their livelihoods and the health of local economies in general.”

On March 20, Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all bars, clubs and restaurants to close across the UK as part of the introduction of social distancing measures to limit the spread of coronavirus.

A rescue package for businesses and workers was immediately announced, which included the promise of a wage-support scheme for workers across the UK.

Hospitality, retail and leisure sectors were also given a business rates holiday in England, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were promised extra funding under the Barnett formula.

Emergency legislation to help businesses with rents has also been introduced.

“I know it's tough out there. We in Government are doing everything we can to support you," the Chancellor said in a speech.

Research of official data by the JPIMedia Data Team, which this newspaper is part of, shows Northampton has the most hospitality workers in the county.

South Northamptonshire is estimated to have 2,955, Kettering 2,620, Daventry 2,300, East Northamptonshire 1,750, Wellingborough 1,510, and Corby 1,225 - a total of nearly 17,900.

Unite has already come across examples of businesses which had decided to lay staff off rather than place them on furlough under the Government’s scheme.

But there was no excuse for companies not to join the scheme and so protect their workforces, according to the union.

Mr Turnbull said: “For bosses that don’t rehire fired staff or refuse to sign up to the job retention scheme, Unite’s message is clear: We will expose you, we challenge your behaviour and we will take legal action for unfair dismissals.”

Hospitality trade association UKHospitality also urged employers to sign up to the wage-support scheme.

Chief executive Kate Nicholls said not only will it safeguard jobs, it will also put the sector in a much stronger position to help rebuild the economy after the crisis has passed.

In one example of help for such workers, St Andrew's Healthcare, which runs the mental health hospital in Billing Road, Northampton, is offering temporary work to those with hospitality experience.