New polling from YouGov for the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed that 45% of pubgoers said they are going to the pub less often in the past 12 months due to the rising cost of living.
The online survey of 833 adults who visit the pub at least once a month was undertaken between 30 and 31 July 2025.
CAMRA said this figure is a clear signal that urgent action is needed to protect the nation’s pubs, publicans and brewers.
Support the sector
The organisation has called on the Chancellor to use the autumn budget to support the pub sector by cutting costs such as national insurance contributions and VAT.
CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “People want to support their local pubs, but the reality is, they’re being priced out.
“With lower disposable incomes and publicans being forced to put up prices through no fault of their own by rising running costs, for a lot of people a regular night out at the pub just isn’t affordable.
“This is a warning sign for the future of our locals. If people can’t afford to go, pubs can’t survive. But luckily, the Chancellor can use the autumn budget to help fix this.”
Tax cuts
CAMRA urged the Government to help make pubs more accessible by rolling back on the “disastrous hike” in National Insurance Contributions, cutting VAT for pubs as they are planning to do in Ireland, introducing significantly lower business rates bills for pubs and brewers, and cutting tax specifically on pints served in pubs.
“These measures are desperately needed to secure the future of our beloved locals, world-renowned breweries and to stem further price hikes for drinkers,” he said.
Supply chain
Meanwhile, another poll from the campaign group of 2,173 people, also conducted by YouGov, revealed 68% of the UK public believe large brewers are making it harder for independent breweries to survive.
CAMRA highlighted public concern that market dominance is limiting consumer choice and threatening local beer production. It said that the findings highlight widespread concern consumers are being denied choice, while local and independent brewers struggle to get their beers into pubs.
Corbett-Collins added: “These results are a wake-up call for politicians and regulators to tackle anti-competitive practices and give a level playing field to independent brewers.”
The news comes as CAMRA just revealed the winner of this year’s Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival in Birmingham this week.
CAMRA is also championing the Keep Cask Alive campaign to have cask beer recognised as a cultural asset by UNESCO.
