The Budget is a 'deep and painful wound' for pub trade, an industry boss has warned amid sinking confidence in the Government.
Labour had been elected on a 'crystal clear' pro-growth agenda but had ultimately 'slapped on business one of the biggest bills they have ever seen,' McClarkin added.McClarkin said: 'The Budget is a deep and painful wound that is going to take the industry a long time to recover from.' Emma McClarkin , chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, warned venues will shut, jobs will be lost and the price of a pint will go up in a £650m hit to the sector
There is still time for Labour to 'repair' its strained relationship with publicans but ministers must 'listen to business' on demands to maintain critical support including business rates relief, she said. But Labour simply said it would launch a consultation, with an overhaul expected only in 2026. And sector pleas to maintain an existing 75pc relief on this levy were ignored, with Reeves reducing it to a 40pc rate.