Why Young Workers Face Hiring Squeeze in UK Hospitality
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has sounded an alarm about a growing jobs crisis for young people entering the hospitality sector—and his warning highlights a real problem affecting thousands of British workers trying to get on the career ladder.
Kerridge, who runs multiple restaurants across the UK, says that hiring entry-level staff has become increasingly difficult. The main culprit? Rising wages, combined with higher employer taxes and VAT, are making it too expensive for restaurants to take on junior workers. He’s not alone in this concern—the hospitality industry is losing venues at an alarming rate, with three restaurants closing every day on average.
For young people job hunting, this is worrying news. The hospitality sector has traditionally been a major entry point for school leavers and young adults without prior work experience. If businesses can’t afford to hire at entry level, that pathway gets blocked. This can leave young people stuck without the work experience they need to progress into better-paid roles.
The underlying issue is a squeeze on business costs. Employers face pressure from National Minimum Wage rises, increased National Insurance contributions (employer taxes), and VAT bills. When margins are tight, particularly in hospitality where profits are often modest, something has to give—and that’s often junior hiring.
For job hunters, this means competition for entry-level roles may be fiercer than ever. If you’re a young person or school leaver looking to enter the sector, you might need to:
Stand out by offering skills beyond the basics—perhaps a relevant qualification, language skills, or willingness to commit long-term.
Look beyond big chains at smaller independent businesses, which sometimes have more flexibility.
Consider adjacent sectors with similar entry-level opportunities, like retail or care work.
Kerridge is campaigning for VAT cuts in hospitality to ease the burden on businesses and free up money for wages. Until that changes, the pressure will likely remain. If you’re struggling to find entry-level work, contact your local youth employment service or Jobcentre Plus for tailored support.