Cumbrian pubs on their knees due to staffing shortages, MP tells minister

In Parliament this afternoon, local MP Tim Farron demanded ministers to address the staffing crisis that is hammering pubs in Cumbria.

It comes after the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said that UK pubs had missed out on £22 million in sales over the recent bank holiday due to a shortage of staff.

A survey by the BBPA also showed that 42% of businesses in the sector had reduced opening hours at the weekend due to shortages.

Speaking during Treasury Questions in the House of Commons this afternoon, Tim said: “The biggest burden on pubs in the Lakes and the Dales is the fact that they cannot find any staff or sufficient staff. It is a crisis that affects the entire hospitality sector, 86% of which say that the recruitment of staff is a major problem for them.

“The solution will include more affordable homes for workers, more intelligent visa rules and funding new training and skills initiatives. Will the Minister meet me and representatives of the hospitality industry to look at a bespoke package to solve the workforce crisis in the Lakes and the Dales?”

Responding, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury Victoria Atkins said: “I would go further and give as an example the truly transformational programme that the Chancellor set out at the spring Budget to transform childcare policy in this country.

“We know that childcare responsibilities hold back many people from entering the workforce, and it is through policies such as this, as well as the work being led by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to help people back into the workforce, that will help pubs in the honourable Gentleman’s constituency and across the country.”