Overview

• Blumenthal unveiled 'Save the Great British Pub', arguing the 20% hospitality VAT is among Europe’s highest and threatens community hubs.
• The campaign calls for permanent reform of business rates and relief on employer National Insurance to keep venues trading.
• UK Hospitality says pressures intensified after the 2024 Budget, claiming 89,000 hospitality jobs have been lost since last October.
• More than 600 Greene King landlords have urged Reeves to cut the tax burden on pubs ahead of the fiscal plans.
• CityAM reports roughly eight pubs a week closed in the first half of 2025 as energy, food and wage costs keep rising.