OPINION: Hospitality needs to brace for likely tax-grab budget
I think there’s one thing anyone in business can quite clearly see, with the sad exception of the Chancellor - this isn’t going to be a Budget of growth.
Legislation
NTIA warns of ‘broken promises’ as pre-Budget tension grows
The NTIA has accused the Government of failing to match public expectations ahead of the Autumn Budget, warning that a “gulf” has opened between what voters see as fair and the decisions being made in Westminster.
Staffing struggles - tackling the challenges around employment
People are key to hospitality, but employment has never been more expensive or challenging. The Lock In podcast team takes a deep dive into some of the issues the sector is facing.
‘There needs to be more joined up thinking’: Labour MP Antoniazzi sets out APPBG priorities
The chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) has called for a more co-ordinated Government approach to policy affecting pubs and brewers.
UKH calls for pubs and bars to have their say on licensing reform
UKHospitality (UKH) has issued a rally cry for pubs and bars to have their say on the Government’s licensing reform consultation before it closes next Thursday (6 November).
Budget aftermath: what the 2024‐25 changes mean for pubs and bars
As the next Autumn Budget approaches (26 November), the pub and bar sector is grappling with the consequences of the fiscal changes announced in the 2024 Budget.
9 in 10 MPs favourable towards hospitality
A survey of MPs has revealed overwhelming cross-party support for pubs, piling pressure on the Chancellor to back hospitality ahead of “once in a generation” Budget.
September inflation locks in £1bn business rates rise for 2026
Hospitality operators across England face a £1.06bn rise in business rates liabilities from April 2026, following the release of September’s inflation figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
What operators need to know about business rates reform from April 2026
The Government has confirmed key details of the upcoming business rates reform for the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) sectors, which will take effect from 1 April 2026 to coincide with the next revaluation.
APPBG and Tourism urges business rates and tax overhaul
A cross-party group of MPs has called for sweeping fiscal reform to help pubs and brewers unlock growth and investment, warning that current tax and regulatory pressures are stifling the sector’s potential.
Government confirms scope of new business rates multipliers for hospitality
The Government has confirmed the scope of new lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure, set to take effect from 1 April 2026 alongside the 2026 Revaluation.
OPINION: Why your voice matters in shaping arbitration under the pubs code
Running a pub is demanding and often unpredictable. For tied tenants, the pubs code provides important rights and transparency from their pub company.
OPINION
OPINION: Headline frustration does not reflect reality of licensing reform
Licensing is an issue I’m incredibly passionate about.
Publicans criticise Government’s claim that later opening hours will ‘save pubs’
Publicans and operators across the UK have expressed frustration at Government suggestions that extending pub opening hours could help “save” the sector and boost economic growth.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Industry leaders lament Gov’s ‘chronic lack of understanding’
Hospitality leaders have criticised the Government’s “chronic lack of understanding” on challenges within the sector and its untapped potential for growth.
Government launches call for evidence on licensing reform
The Government has launched a call for evidence on proposed reforms to the UK’s licensing regime, aiming to modernise and streamline the system for pubs, bars and other on-trade operators.
Tipping legislation one year on ‘a level playing field’
A year after new tipping laws took effect, operators say the rules have created fairer standards across the sector, despite ongoing grey areas over how to interpret them.
UKH: ‘The business rates system is completely broken’
UKHospitality has reiterated calls for immediate reform of the ‘broken’ business rates system following the Shadow Chancellor’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference.
Rule changes could lead to smaller pool of door staff
More stringent rules on the employment of pub, bar and club door security staff could lead to a reduction in people available to fill jobs.
Operator calls for ‘powerful voice’ to support hospitality
One operator has launched a call to arms for publicans to lobby the Government to level the playing field for pubs ahead of the autumn Budget.
Chancellor reaffirms biz rates reform as high streets in crisis
Rachel Reeves has reaffirmed the Government’s plans to reform business rates after a new survey highlighted decline and growing concerns for high streets.
Pubs share mixed responses to digital ID card proposals
There has been a mixed response from the sector on Government plans to introduce digital ID cards.
Operators brand business rates reform plans ‘a sticking plaster’
The Government’s pledge to introduce permanent business rates cuts for hospitality has been labelled a “sticking plaster” that fails to tackle deeper industry problems.
JDW slashes prices to highlight tax disparity
JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has planned to cut the price of food and drink by 7.5% for one day to highlight the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry.
OPINION
OPINION: Government ignorance is indefensible
The Prime Minister’s Questions in Westminster last week once again highlighted the sheer ignorance of the Government over the position they have put the hospitality sector in.
Tube strikes ‘soul-destroying’ for London pubs
One London-based operator has described the tube strikes as “soul-destroying” as trade body estimates industrial action could cost the hospitality sector £110m.
Starmer defends Gov policies to support pubs in Commons clash
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended Labour’s policies after being pushed for answers in the House of Commons on how the Government’s plans support pubs.
AUTUMN BUDGET 2025
Operators demand cohesive Budget to save pubs
Operators have demanded “economic coherence” and tax reform in the Autumn Budget, warning continued inaction could lead to more closures, job losses and stalled growth.
VOA to crack down on fraudulent business rates agents
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has vowed to crackdown on rogue business rates agents after introducing a new code of conduct to hold them to higher standards.
Scotland’s night time economy at ‘serious risk’
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) Scotland has published its manifesto calling for a coherent strategy for the night-time economy.
UKH urges caution over pace of NLW hikes
UKHospitality (UKH) has urged caution over the pace of national living wage (NLW) increases, warning steep rises could cost jobs.
PCA launches consultation on disputes
The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has called for responses to a new consultation it has launched on the rules for handling pubs code disputes.
‘Pubs are vitally important’ Minister claims
People would be “in a better place” if they went to the pub more, according to the Government Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
Industry welcomes Government plans to reform licensing system
The industry has welcomed Government proposals to review and update the licensing system.
OPINION
OPINION: Has the pubs code served its purpose?
The pubs code for those companies with more than 500 pubs in England and Wales is about to be reviewed and in my mind there are some key questions:
UKH urges caution on pension reform amid cost pressures
UKHospitality (UKH) has welcomed the Government’s revival of the Pensions Commission but warned any reforms must ‘deliver sustainable solutions’.
MPs call for public inquiry into Birmingham pub bombings
MPs have called for a public inquiry into the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings, which killed 21 people and injured more than 200.
Ban on upward-only rent reviews ‘right move’ for Government
New legislation to protect small businesses and boost regional growth has been welcomed by UKHospitality (UKH), which hailed a ban on upward-only rent reviews as the “right move”.
Back pubs for economic success, Labour MP claims
“You can’t rebuild Britain without backing pubs,” a Labour MP told the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group’s (APPBG) annual awards dinner this week.
OPINION: We need a collaborative path to better health, not one that hits pubs once again
The Government’s 10-year health plan for England sets out bold ambitions to improve the nation’s health and tackle obesity – objectives we wholeheartedly support.
MPs call for action to support hospitality sector
MPs called for more support for the hospitality sector in a debate in the House of Commons this week.
Further red tape & costs fears if ‘blunt measures’ in 10-Year Health Plan enforced
Clarity and detail from the Government on the measures outlined in its 10-Year Health Plan for England, one trade body has urged.
Labour: A year in power
It has been a year since the Labour Party entered Government but what has that meant for the pub trade.
Chefs ‘no longer granted access to the immigrations system’
Chefs are to be stripped of their ability to recruit from abroad under Government immigration plans.
OPINION
OPINION: Why EPR must work with the industry, not against it
The brewing and hospitality sector will rightly welcome the Government’s decision to revisit the structure of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.
Scottish tied tenants can now benefit from MRO agreements
Tied publicans in Scotland now have the right to opt for market rent only (MRO) leases under the terms of Scottish Pubs Code.
Government confirms it will not lower food standards for imports
Pub chefs can heave a sigh of relief as the Government has confirmed it has no plans to lower food standards.
EPR ‘heaps more costs on pubs, endangering jobs and growth’
The Government has published its base fees for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), sparking concerns from one trade body.
Gov appeals to pubs and bars to ‘stick with us’
The hospitality industry needs to stick with the Government as it works to get more money “back into people’s pockets” the leader of the House of Commons told guests at the British Beer & Pub Association’s summer reception this week.
Greene King backs plans to pedestrianise London’s Oxford Street
Greene King has backed plans to pedestrianise London’s Oxford Street saying it will help boost footfall for the capital’s hospitality businesses.