Overview
- City A.M. reports hundreds of pubs and restaurants displaying “No Labour MPs” signs, while campaign leader Andy Lennox previously counted about 50 venues.
- The protest targets the government’s Budget changes to business rates after Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced a permanent 5% cut for hospitality and retail.
- UK Hospitality estimates the typical bill will rise by about £1,400 next year as new property valuations outweigh the cut.
- Industry groups intensified lobbying, with UK Hospitality hosting a session with MPs and the BBPA calling an emergency summit to press for pub‑specific relief.
- Some MPs condemned the bans as counterproductive, with Tom Hayes arguing that exclusion prevents him from representing local businesses.