UKHospitality has backed Labour's plans to replace the business rates system and cut energy bills should the party be elected into government in July. 

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The hospitality sector continues to face unsustainable business costs, with rates and energy bills cited by many business owners as major pressures. 

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality and CLASS columnist, said: “A plan to help high streets thrive... is much-needed. "Any incoming government needs to urgently fix business rates, where hospitality faces another cliff edge in April next year with rate increases and relief set to end. 

UKHospitality has long campaigned for the "broken" business rates system to be replaced.

"We’re pleased to see manifesto commitments to doing just that," said Nicholls. "Progress can easily be made in the first 100 days of a new government, through the introduction of a permanently lower rate for hospitality and other high street businesses.”