Angela Harnett slams Government over lack of help in food industry

This Morning: Dermot discusses Angela Hartnett’s restaurant

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Angela Hartnett has called for the Government to introduce a minister to represent the food industry following struggles due to Covid-19 and currently, the rise of inflation. The 54-year-old said she had no trust in the leading party as she detailed how businesses have been suffering. 

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, she said: “I think what they need to do is basically come together and actually have a committee.

“We employ three million people, we’re the third or fourth biggest industry in the UK and yet we don’t have a voice in Government.

“So, we either need some sort of minister in hospitality or a sub minister to have a committee where you get every sector so, from the hotels, the restaurants or catering colleges, the whole lot.

“And I think that has not happened. If they were smart that’s what they would do.

“It’s ridiculous the way it is at the moment because they’re dealing with people’s lives.

“Whatever they’re going to do, stick with it, decide it and if she’s [Lizz Truss] the one, just batten down and get on with the job.

“They’re just making it all about themselves.”

Angela spoke out ahead of Liz Truss resigning after just 45 days in power this week. 

The ex Prime Minister has since been replaced by successor Rishi Sunak, who endorsed furlough in 2020.

The scheme was designed to support employers to retain and continue to pay staff while businesses were closed.

The chef said she counted herself “lucky” to have been able to keep her restaurants running during the pandemic by introducing a takeaway service.

“We had four businesses that were making no money for however many months and we’ve all been left with more debt than when we closed with,” she explained.

“But, we got through it, we’ve still got all our businesses so we’ve been lucky. We adapted, we did takeaways and stuff.

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“We just made sure we did something to get business through the door.”

But Angela admitted the struggle isn’t over just yet due to the rising prices of bills and food.

Aside from her restaurants, the chef is back for a second series of her podcast Dish with Nick Grimshaw.

They will be joined at the table by some of their favourite people including British actor David Harewood, chef Yotam Ottolenghi, fellow cook Nadiya Hussain, American actor Stanley Tucci, comedian Russell Howard, musicians Frankie Bridge and Martin Kemp, author and podcaster Dolly Alderton and presenter Vernon Kay.

She said of their show: “Working with Nick on this has been hysterical, I spend the whole time laughing.

“What’s not to love about cooking, eating, drinking, and chatting with our dream dinner-party guests?

“I hope everyone enjoys it; as much as we did recording it.”

Angela’s latest book The Weekend Cook is out now.

Dish, hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, is available on all podcast providers now.

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