Lisa Williams writes to Andy Burnham

In July our National Chair wrote to the Prime Minister to highlight the value of housekeeping and the challenges our industry currently faces. We will update you with the response in due course.

Lisa's Letter

Prime Minister,

I am writing to you as someone who currently works in the hospitality industry and in my capacity as National Chair of the UKHA (UK Housekeepers Association), where I represent and advocate for housekeeping and hospitality professionals across the United Kingdom.

Working in hospitality every day gives me first-hand experience of the challenges our industry faces. Through my role as National Chair of the UKHA, I work closely with housekeeping teams, hotel leaders, training providers and employers. I see the ongoing shortage of skilled workers and the lack of young people entering hospitality careers, which has become one of the biggest threats to the future of our industry.

Hospitality is one of the UK’s largest employers, supporting more than 3.5 million jobs across the country. The sector is a major contributor to the UK’s economy and generates billions of pounds each year for the Treasury through taxation, including significant National Insurance contributions from hospitality employees. Investing in hospitality is not simply investing in one industry—it is investing in jobs, economic growth and communities across the United Kingdom.

Hospitality is also the first job for many people. It provides a vital entry point into the world of work, giving young people the opportunity to develop confidence, communication, teamwork, resilience and customer service skills that remain with them throughout their careers. Many successful business leaders and professionals began their working lives in hospitality. Protecting and strengthening this pathway into employment is critical for the future workforce of our country.

I am asking for your support in reintroducing hospitality education and practical hotel training into college curriculums across the UK. Hospitality should be recognised as a skilled profession, offering excellent career opportunities, leadership pathways and lifelong employment.

Generation Z needs to see hospitality as a respected and rewarding career choice. By providing college courses in hotel operations, housekeeping, customer service and hospitality management, we can inspire young people to enter an industry that contributes significantly to the UK’s economy while developing valuable life and professional skills.

Housekeeping, in particular, deserves far greater recognition. Housekeepers are responsible for maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene, safety and guest wellbeing. Their work is fundamental to the successful operation of hotels, serviced accommodation, hospitals and many other hospitality settings.

The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated how vital housekeeping and hospitality professionals are. They continued to work in extremely challenging circumstances, protecting public health and ensuring essential services could continue to operate. For this reason, I believe housekeeping professionals should be formally recognised as essential workers.

As National Chair of the UKHA, I regularly hear from professionals who are passionate about their careers but concerned about the lack of investment in education, training and recruitment. Without action now, the hospitality sector will continue to face workforce shortages that could affect one of the UK’s most important industries.

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you, or the relevant government ministers, to discuss how government, education providers and the hospitality industry can work together to rebuild hospitality education, encourage more young people into the profession, address the growing skills shortage and give housekeeping the recognition it deserves.

The hospitality industry has always opened doors for people from all backgrounds. With the right support, education and investment, it can continue to do so for generations to come while strengthening the UK’s economy, supporting local communities and providing rewarding careers for millions of people.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my views. I sincerely hope you will support renewed investment in hospitality education and training, recognise the invaluable contribution that housekeeping and hospitality professionals make to our country every day, and help secure the future of one of the UK’s most important industries.

Yours sincerely,
Lisa Williams
National Chair
UKHA (UK Housekeepers Association)
Director of Housekeeping
The Grand, York