Consumer card spending declined -0.1 per cent year-on-year in April – the first fall since November 2024 (-0.5 per cent) and below the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.4 per cent. Non-essential spending declined (-0.3 per cent), after a 1.1 per cent increase in March, but essential spend grew 0.3 per cent, as fuel surged 10.4 per cent – its greatest rise since December 2022. Confidence in the global economy fell to 20 per cent last month – its lowest level since April 2025, when Trump...

The Government’s Holiday Tax Bill could add £100 to the cost of a family two-week holiday during a cost-of-living crisis, according to UKHospitality. The inclusion of a Holiday Tax Bill in the King’s Speech has confirmed a Government U-turn that will make UK staycations more expensive, despite commitments to the House of Commons that it would not introduce such a tax. Recent polling has revealed how unpopular the holiday tax is with the public. More than twice as many people oppose the tax...

The Moore Kingston Smith monthly hospitality sector report provides you with a valuable and timely indication of the month-on-month and year-on-year changes occurring within the sector. Restaurants, pubs and bars –April 2026 Pubs and bars to lead the sector, whilst casual dining struggles to stay afloat – London feels the impact of tube strikes. Hospitality at a glance April brought a slight month-on-month improvement for hospitality, but no real momentum to be enjoyed. Pubs & Bars were the...