Channel 5's Alex Polizzi has warned she may stop employing 18-year-olds if the government proceeds with plans to raise the minimum wage for that age group. The Hotel Inspector host runs The Polizzi Collection, which includes Hotel Endsleigh near Tavistock in Devon, Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes in Cornwall and The Star in East Sussex.
Speaking on The Travel Expert podcast, Polizzi said she faces a "difficult" economic position and could be forced into tough hiring decisions under Labour's manifesto plans.
Minimum wage 'disaster' warning
"The government is now talking about putting up the minimum wage for 18-year-olds to the same level as 21-year-olds, which will be a disaster," she said.
Labour's manifesto included a pledge to abolish "discriminatory age bands" and establish what it calls a 'genuine' living wage. Polizzi voiced significant concerns about the proposals, according to Devon Live.
"As far as I'm concerned, I will never be able to employ an 18-year-old again, because why would you employ someone fresh out of school at the same price as someone who has been out in the world for three years?"
Tourist levy opposition
Polizzi, who has presented the Channel 5 show since 2008, also condemned the proposal for a tourist levy and urged the government to "stop squeezing us until the pips squeak". She said she is "completely against" implementing a visitor charge.
"I have no belief at all that it would reduce VAT, and if you compare us with France, Italy and Germany, where VAT on hospitality is so much lower, you see that we're losing out," she said. "The visitor numbers are immensely down. Part of that is because of the cost-of-living crisis, but a large part of that is also because we just have to keep putting prices up, because how else are we going to pay for these things?"
Council echoes concerns
Polizzi's worries about a tourist levy have been echoed by Devon County Council, which has previously cautioned the charge could place "at risk" an industry it claims is worth over £1.6bn annually, with "disproportionate impacts" on coastal and rural areas.
"Such a policy would not simply affect visitors, but would directly impact Devon residents through reduced hours, job losses, and declining income for local businesses," the council said. "In areas such as Torbay, the South Hams, and East Devon towns including Sidmouth, Exmouth and Honiton, even a modest reduction in visitor numbers would have immediate and damaging economic consequences."
