It's all in the numbers

With the team working on exciting projects for the year ahead, we know our clients want value for money while not compromising on all the good stuff for their events.

We thought the Autumn Budget would bring a mix of opportunities and challenges for our industry… and it did!

Changes to business rates, a new visitor levy, wage increases and apprenticeship funding - they will all have a big impact on how venues, agencies and suppliers operate in the months ahead.

Here’s the lowdown on what it means for the UK’s M&E industry.

From April, business rates will be changed so large properties (rateable value more than £500,000) will pay 50.8p per £1 of rateable value, while smaller businesses will pay 43.2p.

Meanwhile, retail, hospitality and leisure relief drops from 40% to 20%.

This could be good news for smaller venues but for larger venues, it is a different story.

Higher multipliers combined with reduced relief could drive up costs significantly. The big question is whether event venues will be classified under hospitality and leisure. Without clarity, major venues risk absorbing extra costs without support.

Industry voices, including the Meetings Industry Association, warn that without clear inclusion, reforms could “place additional strain on large venues that host major events”.

The ‘visitor levy’ could see regional mayors have the power to introduce a levy on overnight stays – we are keeping a close eye on this one, a 12-week consultation is under way.

What we do know is the levy could fund local infrastructure and enhance visitor experience but if not properly planned, it simply risks pushing up hotel rates and making destinations less competitive for conferences and exhibitions.

The National Living Wage has also been increased which sees rising costs for casual staff.

Workers aged over 21 will now get £12.71 per hour, with increases for younger workers too.

With our industry reliant on casual staff in catering, security and build crews, this adds another layer of cost.

While everyone is in agreement about fair pay, rising wages combined with inflation could lead to staffing cuts and fewer entry-level opportunities, inevitably putting pressure on service quality and talent pipelines.

One huge boost though is fully funded apprenticeships for under-25s in SMEs which could assist venues and agencies attract early-career talent and rebuild pipelines following years of recruitment challenges.

What it means for us at Brighter is engaging with these processes, while preparing for change, to ensure we’re on top of our/your budgets.

Decisions made over the coming months will shape whether these measures help our industry thrive or add another layer of complexity to an already challenging landscape.

But one thing is for sure – when planning our next unique connections and unforgettable experiences together, there will be no nasty surprises along the way.

Keeping costs under control while ensuring all the bells and whistles for you is all part of the service from your award-winning Brighter team.

Want to work with us in 2026?

Contact us here.

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