The Great British Summer Job Faces Decline Amid Soaring Costs

Once a rite of passage for young Britons, the traditional summer job in hospitality is facing a severe and sudden decline. New data reveal a sharp 25% drop in seasonal job postings for pubs, restaurants, hotels, and tourist venues, threatening the entry of an entire generation into the workforce.

According to figures from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), only 66,045 unique hospitality roles were advertised in June 2025, down from 88,414 during the same period last year. This slump is particularly alarming as it arrives at the height of the domestic tourism season, with record-breaking numbers of Britons enjoying day trips and staycations.

“This is the time when hospitality businesses would usually be frantically hiring staff for the busy summer months,” said Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality. “Instead, we’re witnessing the death of the great British summer job.”

A Collision of Tourism and Tax

Despite the vibrant resurgence of domestic tourism—with Visit Britain reporting a 10% rise in English day trips this April and a 6% increase in tourist spending—the industry is shedding jobs instead of creating them.

The root cause? Mounting employment costs are driven by Rachel Reeves’s first budget as Chancellor. The Government’s hike in employers’ National Insurance Contributions—from 13.8% to 15%—alongside a drastic cut in the threshold for payments and a rise in the national living wage, has left businesses reeling.

UKHospitality estimates these changes added a staggering £3.4 billion to the sector’s costs. For smaller operators already grappling with soaring inflation and energy bills, these increases have become unsustainable.

“Despite strong demand from consumers, businesses simply cannot afford to hire,” said Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC. “This is not just a staffing gap; it’s a red flag for the wider economy.”

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, voiced serious concerns about the long-term social consequences of this policy direction.

“Summer jobs in hospitality have long been a gateway into employment, particularly for young people,” she said. “Cutting these off at the knees isn’t just bad for our industry—it’s damaging for social mobility. We are locking young people out of their first opportunities and weakening the economic pipeline that sustains high streets and communities across the country.”

Nicholls is urging the Government to “reverse the damage” before long-term harm becomes irreversible. She echoed calls to reduce business rates and cut VAT for hospitality businesses to create breathing room and encourage job creation.

One Pub Closes Every Day

The hospitality sector has borne the brunt of these financial pressures. The British Beer and Pub Association recently warned that an estimated 378 pubs across England, Scotland, and Wales could shut permanently in 2025, equating to one closure every single day. This alone could cost the UK economy over 5,600 jobs.

Meanwhile, students, school leavers, and entry-level workers are left without a launchpad during the busiest season of the year. The ripple effect extends beyond staffing shortages—it undermines customer experience, limits service offerings, and narrows the industry’s ability to grow.

“We are shutting people out before they even get a foot in the door,” added Carberry. “And all while demand for cold pints in pub gardens and fish and chips on the pier is at a high.”

A Crossroads for Government Policy

As hospitality businesses scale back hiring to survive, the UK risks losing far more than just jobs—it risks the spirit of summer enterprise that has shaped the careers and independence of countless young people.

Calls for urgent tax reform and targeted support are growing louder. Whether the Chancellor listens may not only decide the fate of a season, but also the future trajectory of an entire workforce.