A week ahead of the chancellor’s Spring Statement, the Campaign for Pubs is urging those in the trade and those who support pubs to lobby Rachel Reeves.
The Budget, in October, was a disaster for pubs and publicans, says the campaign. It heaped thousands of pounds of extra costs on pubs through the National Insurance hike and wage rise, a cut in business rates relief, and increased product costs from brewers and producers, via duty rises.
“In the current cost of living crisis, pubs simply can’t afford these extra costs, and the government must change course to save pubs and get them through this crisis,” said a spokesperson.
The campaign is co-ordinating two letters — one from UK publicans and one from pub supporters. “Please sign whichever applies to you,” says the group.
