Pubs ‘thrown underneath the bus’ in Spring Statement as campaigners say Government ‘do not care’

There had been hope that the update from the Labour government may help the struggling trade, but now industry campaigners have been left enraged by the lack fo any clear or tangible support for boozers

The desperate pub industry has been left wounded following the Spring Statement.

The Campaign for Pubs said Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plan was like Britain’s boozers had been thrown “under the bus whilst she is driving it.”

There had been hope that the update from the Labour government may help the struggling trade, but now industry campaigners have been left enraged by the lack of any clear or tangible support for boozers.

Dawn Hopkins, Vice Chair of the Campaign for Pubs said: “The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has completely overlooked the ‘working people’ who keep our pubs and small breweries running across the country.

“Her budget pushed our industry further into crisis and today she offered nothing to ease that despair. She talks about getting people off benefits and into work, but where are these jobs coming from? Pubs are being forced to cut staff just to survive, and nothing she has said or done in the Spring Statement will slow the alarming rate of closures.

“It’s deeply disheartening that this Government shows such little interest in protecting our incredible, yet currently struggling, pub industry – and even less concern for the hardworking people within it”.

The news comes despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailing the impotance of British pubs in February, telling the Mirror at the time that they’re “hugely important”, and “the places where friends, family, community come together around something which is very British”.

He added: “It’s a place of warmth, of opportunity, to have a nice time with friends, family and for many people to have the friendship and engagement that is so important to their wellbeing. That is uniquely brought together in our pubs, which is why there’s nothing any of us like better than going to the local for a pint, myself included.”

Alastair Kerr, South West England representative of the Campaign for Pubs, said: “What the Chancellor is doing is throwing pubs under the bus whilst she is driving it.

“Last year’s Budget was a disaster for publicans and despite the threat to businesses, jobs and livelihoods, today she announced nothing to help pubs.

“What makes it worse is that only a few weeks ago the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister claimed they supported pubs. Today’s Spring Statement makes a mockery of that.

“Rachel Reeves has now confirmed what UK publicans already suspected, that this Government doesn’t actually give a damn about pubs and is happy to see them close. She will not be welcome in any pub until and unless she and the Government wake up and change course”.

The sentiment was backed up by the Campaign for Real Ale.

Commenting on the Chancellor’s Spring Statement this afternoon, Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Chairman said: “Pubgoers are understandably worried about the future of community locals. Licensees will be hit by extra costs in the coming days from increased National Insurance contributions and a cut in support with business rates for pubs in England.

“In light of these worries, it is disappointing that there weren’t any announcements in the Spring Statement to support pubs, breweries or consumers. Pubgoers and the people running pubs were crying out for the Chancellor to think again on the Employer National Insurance hike for pubs; to speed up the new, fairer system of business rates for pubs in England; for cuts to duty and VAT on beer and cider served in pubs.

“CAMRA’s 145,000 members will continue to fight for better consumer choice and support for UK pubs and brewers leading up to the Autumn Budget.”