Fri, 12 Dec 2025

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 No 10 says it backs pubs as landlords bar Labour MPs in tax protest

The government says it delivered a £4.3bn support package for pubs and restaurants in the Budget.

* Over 250 pubs, restaurants, and hotels have signed up to a campaign to bar Labour MPs from their premises in protest at tax rates.
* Industry body UKHospitality disputes the government's figures on the support package for pubs and its impact.
* The prime minister's official spokesman said the chancellor had delivered a £4.3bn support package for hospitality, but industry leaders claim this is not enough to offset rising costs.
* Pubs are facing a 45% rise in bills next year due to tax increases, according to the government, but UKHospitality disputes this figure and claims it will be higher than stated.
* The campaign to bar Labour MPs from pubs was sparked by a Dorset publican who put up "No Labour MPs" stickers in his window after multiple campaigns for tax cuts ended with higher taxes for hospitality.
* Industry leaders claim that reducing the 20% VAT rate for hospitality would solve many of their problems and generate more growth and taxation, but the government has not committed to this.
* Businesses are also angry about changes to business rates announced in last month's Budget, which they say could add tens of thousands to their bills every year.
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