MP presses minister to rethink decision to scrap hospitality training qualification

On the floor of the House of Commons this morning, South Lakes MP Tim Farron urged ministers to rethink plans to axe a new qualification which would have help the hospitality industry recruit local people.

Speaking during Business Questions, Tim said: "With 20,000 non-UK staff in tourism in the Lake District, there is a desperate need for home-grown talent whether we leave the EU or not.

"But the Government has watered down the already delayed catering and hospitality T-Level so that it no longer includes hospitality.

"Will the minister undo this backwards move and fast-track a catering and hospitality T-Level to next year?"

In response, the Secretary of State for Business, Greg Clark, said that the Government's new tourism sector deal showed a "great commitment to developing careers in the hospitality industry".

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "Tourism and hospitality is absolutely essential to the Cumbrian economy.

"So ministers have shot themselves in the foot by removing hospitality from their new technical qualifications which could've been huge in training up our young people so they are able to work and live in the place they grew up in."