More than half of Brits fear their local pubs will shut as a result of Rachel Reeves‘ tax hikes, a new poll has revealed.
A Savanta survey found that 53 per cent were concerned about their nearest boozers closing due to the Chancellor’s raising of National Insurance.
Even more (66 per cent) were worried about their local independent shops having to shut after a year of financial pain for small businesses.
The poll also showed 61 per cent feared their local restaurants and cafes closing, while nearly half (48 per cent) were concerned for high street hairdressers.
The British Beer and Pub Association has estimated that 378 pubs – more than one a day – will close this year across England, Wales and Scotland, with the loss of 5,600 jobs.
The Savanta poll found the biggest concern about local pub closures was in the South West, where 62 per cent worried about their locals shutting.
This was followed by the West Midlands, where 56 per cent feared their nearest boozers closing.
The findings come amid fears that Ms Reeves’ latest Budget on Wednesday will see high streets hammered again.
More than half of Brits fear their local pubs will shut as a result of Rachel Reeves’ tax hikes, a new poll has revealed.
A Savanta survey found that 53 per cent were concerned about their nearest boozers closing due to the Chancellor’s raising of National Insurance
The Liberal Democrats, who commissioned the poll, are calling for the Chancellor to put in place a 5 per cent emergency VAT cut for the hospitality sector until 2027.
They have described it as a £7.5billion ‘life raft’ for Britain’s pubs and restaurants, who are still reeling from Ms Reeves’ action at her first Budget last year.
That saw the Chancellor hike employers’ National Insurance contributions (NICs) at the same time as she also unveiled an above-inflation increase in minimum wage rates.
The hospitality sector warned at the time of a ‘double whammy’ increase in costs for businesses, with both measures taking effect on 1 April this year.
Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dems’ Treasury spokesperson, said: ‘Britain is braced for another disastrous Budget that could kick our local high streets while they’re down.
‘No wonder so many are concerned for the future of their local high street, worried that much-loved local businesses will have to shut up shop – leaving empty shop fronts as a scar in our communities and people without desperately-needed jobs.
‘The Chancellor cannot deliver another doom and gloom Budget.
‘She’s clearly out of ideas, so she needs to listen to the Liberal Democrats’ plan for a £7.5billion life raft to save our high streets – paid for by the big banks’ profits.’
Savanta surveyed 2,019 UK adults online between 31 October and 3 November.