A survey taken by UKHospitality, British Institute of Innkeeping, and the British Beer and Pub Association, demonstrates how a shortage of workers is damaging hospitality businesses and the UK’s recovery.

The staff shortages are causing operators to cut trading hours and capacity to cope, with one in three businesses having to close one or more days a week – costing industries £2.1bn in lost revenue and an estimated £5bn loss in tax for the Exchequer.

The highest staff shortages are front of house, at 81% of these operators with vacancies, chefs at 76% followed by kitchen porters 67% and assistant managers 53%.

UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping and the British Beer and Pub Association said:

"These figures clearly show the danger to the industry and financial loss to the country via taxes posed by the current staffing crisis. In short, the recovery of both the sector and the UK economy are being threatened by this workforce shortage. Operators have been doing all they can to help solve the issue, from increasing wages, to flexible working. However, this can only help so much, and the sector must be given targeted support in order to solve the crisis"