Angela Rayner at Labour Party Conference
Angela Rayner has been called out by a pub owner who says his business faces huge losses.
Publicans are set to quiz MPs this week over a tax raid that will sting the industry – and the incoming Employment Rights Bill that will make matters worse.
“Our business has been going for 50 years and we intend for it to be going for another 50, but it would appear [that the Government] have no care whatsoever for hospitality or retail or anyone that employs young people”, pub owner Philip Thorley told the .
Mr Thorley said that his business – Thorley Taverns – which owns 18 pubs, will see its tax bill spiral by £400,000 as a result Government’s fiscal policies.
In another bitter pill, he said that ‘s new worker’s rights bill will result in his business making fewer hires.
Angela Rayner launches English devolution paper
“First-day employment rights will just mean we’re hiring less people,” he said.
“What incentive is there to hire more people and young people? As an employer, I appreciate that whenever I interview someone they’re [also] interviewing me.”
He added: “Then in the first few weeks we decide if we like them and if they like the job. It’s one-sided now.”
Addressing Ms Rayner’s opposition to Zero Hours Contracts, Mr Thorley added: “We offer staff extra hours in the run-up to Christmas. If the legislation is going to mean that those hours have to be contractually binding forever then we just won’t be able to do it at all, it would be impossible”.
Don’t miss… [POLITICS] [ROYAL]
Landlords fear they won’t be able to hire as many staff under Angela Rayner’s new rules
Later this week, pub owners will travel to Parliament to grill MPs over recent changes the Government has made.
Under Ms Rayner’s new rules, pubs will need to protect its staff from harassment from “third parties”, such as drinking punters.
Landlords fear they could be sued if someone takes offence to “overheard conversations” among patrons.
Brian Whiting, the chief executive of WH Pubs, said: “We are very good at controlling our customers but I can’t control what they say.”