Pub chiefs urge Keir Starmer to radically slash tax to save lots of Britain’s boozers
The British Beer & Pub Association called for talks with ministers on the future of pubs ahead of a new package of support measures being unveiled next week
The Mirror has been campaigning to save Britain’s boozers through our Your Pub Needs You campaign(Image: Getty Images)
A long-term plan is needed to save Britain’s pubs, a leading trade body for the industry has warned.
The British Beer & Pub Association called for talks with ministers on the future of pubs ahead of a new package of support measures being unveiled next week. It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves ordered officials to look at help for the struggling hospitality sector before Christmas amid significant pushback from firms.
This is expected to water down looming hikes to business rates, and measures to slash red tape for licensing regulation. While welcoming the prospect of a change, the BBPA called for a more radical shake-up of business rates to help support boozers across the country.
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Andy Tighe, Director of Strategy and Policy at the BBPA said: “Before they were elected they had a five-point plan to save pubs, there was clear recognition right at the top of the government of the value that pubs bring from social perspective, a community perspective, as well as the economic perspective.
“I know the government recognises this and we know that politicians are supportive of pubs and what they bring, but unfortunately the actions have been different to the words.
“Whilst some of the intent has clearly been positive, the actual outcomes have meant that costs and taxes have continued to rise and people are being squeezed more and more.”
Ministers had put in place a £4.3 billion fund to help pubs with the transition to higher rates but sources said Ms Reeves would soon go further.
The Mirror has been campaigning to save Britain’s boozers through our Your Pub Needs You campaign.
Mr Tighe continued: “Employment costs have gone up 85% in total over the last five years, utility bills have gone up 60% over the last five years. This layering of cost and regulation is getting to the point where it’s not sustainable for the long term.
“We need the kind of government to look at this and work with us to develop a fairer and more proportionate tax and regulatory cost system for pubs.”
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said reform to business rates was “essential”.
She explained: “I was in the Victoria inn, a local pub yesterday in Mumbles, and there were only four proper pubs left in a small town, in my constituency that had 25.
“These people are not making any money, your good old-fashioned boozer is not making any money.
“These are our Labour voters who own this pub and are very supportive and they just don’t know where to turn.
“We need to look at the cumulative impact of all of the changes on these businesses.
“Small and medium-sized businesses in general are being really really hit by us tinkering around the edges of taxation and somebody needs to take a good hard look at it.”
Ms Antoniazzi added she was confident ministers would hand pubs a lifeline next week.
She said: “I know how much they care. I hope, I think, and I believe in them, they are my friends, and they will make significant changes this week that will have a positive effect on the industry.”
The Treasury has been approached for comment.
