Britain’s pubs could be facing down a fresh assault under new Labour plans to be announced today.
Labour ministers will today confirm plans to lower the drink-driving limit in England and Wales in what’s been billed as another blow to Britain’s under-fire pub industry.
The proposal from the Department for Transport could see a single alcoholic drink pushing motorists over the legal limit.
The pub industry has already experienced devastating losses, with an average of one watering hole shutting its doors permanently every day throughout 2025.
Nearly 2,000 have ceased trading over the past half decade alone.
And Britain’s beloved country pubs could be left in the lurch under the proposed changes, as they depend heavily on customers arriving by car.
The British Beer and Pub Association has raised the alarm about the damage such measures would inflict on countryside establishments located in areas lacking adequate public transport or dependable taxi provision.
A spokesman told The Telegraph: “The pub sector continues to face huge challenges, so any additional policy measures that further impact trade will be of real concern to licensees, especially those in rural areas.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, meanwhile, described the move as a “death knell for country pubs across Britain” and accused Labour of having “no connection to how real life works”.
The announcement comes as the hospitality sector reels from a series of Government measures including higher business rates, increased minimum wage requirements and a rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions that have pushed numerous boozers to the brink.
Rural pubs, where the majority of customers arrive by car, are particularly at risk (file photo)
|
GETTY
Some village pubs now face business rates bills for the first time following a revaluation of rateable values announced after Rachel Reeves’s “nightmare before Christmas” Budget.
Jonathan Neame, who leads Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame established, warned of broader consequences for local communities.
He said: “When communities lose pubs, they are weaker as a result. I hope the Government sees sense and makes a U-turn.
“The industry is not going to lie down on this issue. For years, we have been saying that we are overtaxed.”
PUBS IN PERIL – READ MORE:
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the move as a ‘death knell for country pubs’
|
GETTY
Pub owners are calling for a package of relief measures encompassing reduced employer National Insurance for hospitality businesses, business rates support ahead of April increases, VAT reductions and a freeze on beer duty.
Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged on Monday that many pubs “will struggle” with the upcoming changes to business rates, adding that ministers were “talking to the sector… about what further support we can put in”.
But Rachel Reeves – who was recently barred from her local in Pudsey – has refused to offer new financial support to pubs.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle is set to push the case with Treasury officials next week, following growing pressure from the hospitality industry.
Some village pubs now face business rates bills for the first time
|
GETTY
Rachel Reeves was recently barred from her local in West Yorkshire over her ‘eye-watering’ tax hikes
| GETTY
Trade body UK Hospitality has found that the average pub will pay an extra £12,900 in business rates over the next three years alone.
Its chairwoman Kate Nicholls said: “The Government promised in its manifesto that it would level the playing field between the high street and online giants.
“The plan in the Budget to achieve this is quickly unravelling, and will deliver the exact opposite.”
The trade body said only a full review of business rates would tackle the crisis.