Overview
- Officials are expected to announce changes to pub rate bills in the coming days following sustained industry pressure.
- Under the previous plan, bills were reported to rise by an average 78% over three years once pandemic-era relief ends in April.
- The British Beer and Pub Association says the shift would add about £150 million a year to costs, requiring roughly 1.3 billion extra pints to break even.
- More than 1,000 venues have barred Labour MPs in protest, escalating the political fallout for the government.
- No 10 says it will engage with affected businesses, while ministers face calls to extend any relief beyond pubs to restaurants and hotels.