After Labour won the general election on 5th July, the thought on most event profs minds was: “How will this affect us?” We checked in with some key opinions from around the industry.
Since the pandemic, a popular refrain across the industry has been that the government doesn’t truly understand the breadth and importance of the events industry, undervaluing its importance to the UK economy and culture. So… is this about to change under new leadership?
ASSOCIATION
Kerrin MacPhie, Chief Executive of the MIA
As the terrorism threat level continues to evolve and remain significant, the MIA welcomes Labour’s commitment to bringing in Martyn’s Law to strengthen the security of public events and venues. We will continue to champion Figen Murray’s quest to bring in the new legislation while providing clear best practice guidance to ensure the sector doesn’t wait and instead is adopting a good security culture with processes clearly communicated to all staff.
We welcome Labour’s commitment to provide better support for small and medium-sized enterprises as many small firms, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed form part of the vibrant business meetings and events sector. Labour’s roadmap to aide investment planning could support further investment in the sector, which will be positively appreciated from our latest MIA Insights.
It has been extremely disappointing that previous governments have continually failed to recognise that the UK hospitality industry is vast – encompassing so much more than just pubs and restaurants. As
a result, business meetings and events get lost despite facilitating in excess of £165 billion in trade. We will be continuing our work pushing to ensure that business meetings and events become part of the narrative as they offer the government significant opportunities to further expand the UK’s trade, exports and knowledge economy and attract inward investment.
AGENCY
David Watt, CEO of CI Group
The industry should see this new government as an opportunity not a threat. We should look at the areas where it is going to invest and devest. I hope they are open to backing new ideas and education in the sector.
For instance, as there are promises of significant investment in education, we should all be supporting the Power of Events campaign and directly contacting local colleges and universities, be pushing them for more higher education courses to encourage school leavers to train for careers in this great industry.
An increase in education will also lead to more investment in IT. As this is one of the sectors in which the CI Group has great expertise, we will look to support our clients with ideas on how best to align with this shift.
We would also like to see easier controls and movement across the EU for goods and people, especially when both of these are in temporary transit. We’d also like improvement and guidance over overseas VAT. We need a better system where we could reverse charge rather than claim.
VENUE
Steve Jones, CEO of Wyboston Lakes Limited
The arrival of a vast number of new MPs offers a major opportunity and need for the meetings and events industry to educate them about our industry and the challenges it is facing.
Along with the tailwinds of Brexit and the COVID pandemic there are more recent challenges around high inflation, in part caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine and the knock-on energy costs, and higher wage rates being expected by the tens of thousands of hard-working team members.
It is also having to adapt to compressed working weeks with more and more administrative and professional workers either working less days/hours or spending some of their week at home, meaning the demand for key dates is leaving unfilled space on other dates.
While the Business of Events team are influencing the new government at the House of Commons and Whitehall, business travel agencies and venues should invite their MP, especially those who are new, in to meet them in the coming weeks and educate them on meetings and events as an industry so that they fully appreciate its scale, reach and significant contribution to both to the local and national economy.
AGENCY
Simon Hainsworth, Managing Director of Corporate and Sporting Events
The events industry is an economic driver that the new government should embrace and nurture. The ability of this marketplace to drive UK-wide growth and, more importantly, awareness is coupled with key manifesto pledges including those to invest in the hosting of major sporting events which are known to provide more than simply financial benefits, and have reach across all demographic groups.
Cities across the North stand ready to benefit from a ‘Labour bounce’ as the economy grows again, inflation is brought back on target and an era of optimism emerges. Moreover, venues are primed, and with targeted support, enhanced awareness and localised financial backing from central government to local councils, many of whom are Labour controlled, a bespoke formula may be created to secure events and the significant economic impact these bring from organisers.
The competitiveness of venues to host, particularly outside London is notable, and with a pound that remains relatively weak against other major currencies and a renewed interest in visiting the UK, the new government should stand ready to listen and support strategies to bring all types of events to our shores.
VENUE
Sam Shearman, Founder, Alcotraz
A Labour General Election win could see significant changes for the industry.
Historically, Labour governments tend to prioritise public investment, which could potentially see an increase in funding for cultural events, festivals, and public gatherings – a possible boost to the sector. If we see enhanced support for arts and culture, this could lead to a more vibrant events landscape, attracting more attendees both locally and from abroad.
On the subject of staff and those who make the hospitality and events industry run smoothly, Labour has in the past focused on increased workers’ rights, which may see more stringent labour laws and improved conditions for event staff. While these are all positive changes, operational costs may rise as a result.
We may also see some environmental policies introduced, which could mandate higher sustainability standards for events and encourage green practices across the industry. From an economic standpoint, the next government may introduce adjustments to taxation or business rates, which could impact disposable income and corporate budgets. This in turn could influence event attendance from the public’s perspective, and wider industry sponsorships.
While only time will tell, Labour’s win could drive both opportunities and challenges for the industry, although there is the potential for a reshaping with an increased focus on sustainability, quality, and wellbeing.