Association Update

GOVERNMENT TO LEGISLATE FOR OUT OF HOME CALORIE LABELLING

Following this consultation, the government has introduced legislation to implement mandatory calorie labelling among large food businesses (businesses with 250 or more employees) in the out of home sector. The regulations specifying the legal requirements for labelling food in the out of home sector can be found here: The Calorie Labelling (Out of Home Sector) (England) Regulations 2021 (legislation.gov.uk).

The regulations come into force from 6 April 2022. Guidance on how the new legislation is to be applied can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/calorie-labelling-in-theout-of-home-sector?utm_campaign= Out+of+home+calorie+labelling +consultation+response+&utm_ content=dhsc-mail.co.uk&utm_medium =email&utm_source=Department +of+Health+and+Social+Care&link _index=4

AUTUMN AND WINTER PLAN FOR ENGLAND

The government has set out the Autumn and Winter Plan for England. The plan sets out a Plan A scenario and outlines a Plan B contingency plan for England that would only be enacted if the data suggests that further actions are necessary to protect the NHS.

The five pillars outlined for Plan A include

1. Building our defences through pharmaceutical interventions, including maximising vaccine uptake. 2. Identifying and isolating positive cases to limit transmissions using testing and contact tracing. 3. Supporting the NHS and Social

Care by managing pressures and recovering services. 4. Advising people on how to protect themselves and others - for businesses the government will continue to provide up to

date Working Safely Guidance on how employers can reduce the risks in their workplace. They are encouraging the public to let fresh air in when meeting indoors, wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed settings, getting tested and self-isolating, staying home if they feel unwell, washing hands regularly and using the NHS COVID-19 app. 5. Pursuing an international approach – playing a part in the global effort towards vaccination

Plan B would only be implemented if the data suggests the NHS is likely to come under unsustainable pressure. It prioritises measures which can help control transmission of the virus while seeking to minimise economic and social impacts. This includes • Communicating clearly and urgently to the public that the level of risk has increased, and with it the need to behave more cautiously. • Introducing mandatory vaccine-only

COVID-status certification in certain settings. • Legally mandating face coverings in certain settings.

If Plan B is implemented, at that point the NHS COVID Pass will change to display full vaccination only (exemptions will continue to apply). The government expects that mandatory vaccine-only certification would be introduced for visitors to nightclubs, indoor settings with 500 or more attendees and outdoor crowded settings with 4,000 or more attendees as well as any settings with 10,000 or more attendees, such as stadia.

The government would seek to give businesses at least one week’s notice before mandatory vaccine certification came into force.

IMPACT OF COVID ON HOUSEHOLD SPENDING

The Office of National Statistics has published research on the impact of Covid on household spending. The key findings from the research are: • Households reduced their spending by an average of £109.10 (19%) a week. • Higher income households, who tended to spend more on travel, and were more likely to be able to work from home, saw a larger drop in spending than low-income households. • Reduced spending on restaurants and hotels, recreation and culture and transport contributed most to the decline in overall spending for all income groups. • Spending on holidays abroad accounted for half of spending falls in the highest income households. • 42% of workers on lower incomes reporting a decrease in earnings, compared with 31% for those on the highest incomes.

KICKSTART SCHEME GUIDANCE CONSOLIDATED

The guidance on the Kickstart Scheme has been updated and consolidated into a new series of documents to make it easier for businesses to undertake and navigate. The new guidance documents are:

Kickstart Scheme for employers

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/kickstartscheme-for-employers

How the Kickstart Scheme works

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-thekickstart-scheme-works

Getting young people into the Kickstart Scheme jobs

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/gettingyoung-people-into-the-kickstart-schemejobs

Manage your Kickstart Scheme funding

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manageyour-kickstart-scheme-funding

Sign in to manage your Kickstart Scheme vacancies

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sign-in-tomanage-your-kickstart-scheme-vacancies

Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant through a Kickstart gateway

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/applyfor-a-kickstart-scheme-grant-through-akickstart-gateway

HELP US TO HELP YOU

The Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Association aims to ensure the best market conditions for our industry. From lobbying government to its organisation of the prestigious Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Awards, we aim to provide the best environment for you to trade in plus a wide range of bene ts.

Facing the sta ng challenge – Our business needs good people. We are lobbying to ensure Brexit does not lead to the door shutting on the people we need to keep going.

Reducing Energy and Telecoms costs – Our specialist advisor will shop around to get you the very best deals – and it’s free!

Insurance with Free Membership – Our specialist insurers o er really keen prices for shop and business insurance – and independent retailers can get free membership if they use them.

KPMG Accounting o er – Members can take advantage of a three months free accounting o er from leading accountants KPMG.

Training – Our discounted on-line hygiene training is focused and saves you money and time.

Assured Guidance – Members following our Assured Advice are protected from enforcement challenges.

Free Advice – From legal to technical advice, our members have free access to experts.

Buying ingredients or equipment from abroad? Our agreement with Cornhill o ers exceptionally keen exchange rates.

Business rates and nancial help – We have teamed up with a specialist business nance consultancy who provide members advice on everything from business rates to raising nance.

Cutting Fuel bills – Members can enjoy savings of up to 5p per litre on diesel & petrol, and up to 10p per litre at motorway pumps, with a free no-obligation fuel card.

London hotel discounts – Save money when staying in London using the unique Association booking code with Grange Hotels.