‘We are the real economy’
The MA’s Ed Bedington caught up with BII boss Steve Alton to reflect on the week’s news which has seen the resignation of a Prime Minister.
Legislation
Operators urged to support national safety scheme
Operators have been called upon to play a leading role in continuing to shape safer socialising.
VAT crackdown could fund pub rates support
Government plans to tighten VAT rules for online marketplaces could help fund improvements to business rates for pubs, restaurants, hotels and other high street businesses.
OPINION
OPINION: So long, farewell....
So farewell Sir Keir, and with a bit of luck, he’ll be taking his Chancellor Rachel Reeves with him as well.
Brexit 10 years on: pubs call for practical labour reset
Ten years after the UK voted to leave the European Union, hospitality leaders have called for help to tackle staffing pressures, rising employment costs and trade friction.
Sector leaders demand action from new PM
Voices from across the sector have called on the next appointed Prime Minister to prioritise hospitality, warning continued economic pressure has stifled growth.
VAT cut set to fuel summer boom for hospitality
The temporary VAT cut on family days out is set to give the hospitality sector a much-needed boost this summer, new research has found.
Starmer quits: How outgoing PM impacted pubs
Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation has brought an abrupt end to a turbulent administration that delivered significant challenges and notable reforms for the hospitality sector.
What is a pub really worth?
Do pubs really add value to society? In the season finale of the Lock In podcast, the team take a deep dive to assess the real social value of pubs
Burnham win puts hospitality pledges in spotlight
Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election has put his hospitality pledges back in focus, as the newly elected MP appears set to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.
OPINION
OPINION: Is Andy Burnham hospitality’s knight in shining armour?
While the world’s attention turns to the football in North America, hospitality in the UK will no doubt be keeping one eye on a competition playing out a little closer to home in the coming weeks.
Sector urged to keep momentum up on VAT campaign
Trade bodies have urged the sector to maintain momentum behind #VATsTheProblem as the campaign prepares for its next phase, ensuring hospitality’s voice is heard by Government.
‘Young people being let down’ by Gov approach to hospitality
Hospitality remains the canary in the coal mine and politicians need to start listening to us, a trade association boss has warned.
‘When hospitality thrives, Britain thrives’ says Reeves as she calls on sector for support
Chancellor Rachel Reeves urged the hospitality sector to work with the Government in driving growth, while claiming “the best days are ahead”.
‘Embrace’ temporary kids VAT cut, sector urged
The hospitality sector should embrace the temporary VAT cut on children’s meal over the summer, the boss of UKHospitality said.
What is going on with zero-hour contracts?
As the Government launches a consultation paper on new protections for zero and low-hour workers, employer solicitor Lydia Button lays out what this means for operators.
Trade bodies react to Andy Burnham’s vow to slash business rates by 20%
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has pledged to reduce business rates for pubs by a fifth if he becomes Prime Minister.
VAT cut petition passes 100,000 signatures
More than 100k people have signed the #VATsTheProblem petition calling for hospitality VAT to be cut to 10%.
No new ‘nice pub tax’ Government confirms
Reports of a so called “nice pub tax” have prompted confusion across the sector.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
Lower strength beer sales hit 912m pints after duty change
Sales of lower strength beers have risen sharply since changes to the alcohol duty regime came into force, with 200m units of alcohol removed per year since 2023, according to new research.
Starmer offers ‘inadequate response’ to VAT question during PMQs
Prime Minister Keir Starmer sidestepped questions on hospitality VAT during Prime Minister’s Questions despite growing pressure over its impact on the sector.
VAT cut petition led by Kerridge smashes 20k signatures
A petition spearheaded by celebrity chef and pub operator Tom Kerridge has exceeded 20,000 signatures within the first 24 hours.
Kerridge spearheads VAT cut campaign
Celebrity chef and pub operator Tom Kerridge is at the helm of a hospitality-wide campaign to slash VAT to 10%.
Kerridge: ‘I feel let down by Labour’
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has said he feels let down by the Labour Government after being a strong supporter of the party during its election campaign.
Pubs face ‘nice pub tax’ under biz rates guidance
Pubs in attractive locations or with strong community roles could face higher business rates bills under new valuation guidance, according to reports in The Telegraph.
Multiple operators warned over tax changes by HMRC
Tax changes to shared company ownership from three years ago are starting to be pursued by HMRC. Here, accountancy consultant Eddie Murphy from ELTA outlines how it might impact on pub operators.
OPINION: Not the VAT cut anyone wanted
We asked for a VAT cut, and we’ve been given a VAT cut, but as with anything this Government touches, it’s as much help as a paper raincoat.
‘I can rummage in my handbag and find more money than we’ll save with this VAT cut’
The MA’s Ed Bedington catches up with Hayley Pellegrini from the Pelle Pub Co for her take on the week’s news.
Is kid’s meal VAT cut worthwhile?
The MA’s Ed Bedington hosts an impromptu reaction chat with the Lock In’s Heath Ball and the Great British Pub Awards Family Pub of the Year operator Phil Sutton of the Perry Hill Pub.
Temporary 5% VAT cut on children’s meals: what qualifies and what it means for pubs
In light of the Government’s recent announcement about a temporary 5% VAT cut on children’s meals, The Morning Advertiser takes a look at what this means.
Gov confirms VAT cut on children’s meals includes pubs
The Government has confirmed it is introducing a temporary VAT reduction to 5% on children’s menu meals at venues including pubs over the summer.
Inquiry launched into visitor levy
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hospitality and Tourism has launched an inquiry into the Government’s proposed visitor levy.
‘We’ve had over £1m of cost added to our pubs’
The Morning Advertiser’s Ed Bedington catches up with Camerons Brewery boss Chris Soley to get his take on the week’s news.
Vaping in pubs: What operators need to know
After the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received Royal Assent last month, The Morning Advertiser (The MA) has examined the current legislation around vaping in pubs.
Gov’s ‘shocking U-turn’ on holiday tax, costing 33,000 jobs
The King’s Speech confirming a Government U-turn on the Holiday Tax Bill will mean UK staycations will be more expensive, one trade body has warned.
UKH: Biz rates and tax cuts top priorities for new Wales and Scotland govs
Business rates and cutting taxes must be top priorities for the devolved Wales and Scotland governments to drive growth in the hospitality sector.
OPINION: Time to stop giving ministers a propaganda platform
For the love of god, can industry conference organisers stop inviting Government ministers to speak at their events!
UKH sets out six-point plan for Gov to tackle soaring energy bills
Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has outlined six targeted measures the Government must act on to support hospitality businesses before it’s too late.
UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
Energy costs separate due to Gulf crisis
Tensions in the Gulf are changing how oil, gas and electricity prices move. For pubs, this decoupling matters more than ever when planning energy costs.
Majority of Brits oppose holiday tax - ‘a political signal no MP should ignore’ says UKH
Most Brits are against the Government’s proposed holiday tax , new research from one trade body has found.
Operators raise concerns over guaranteed hours policy
Pub operators have warned the Government’s proposed guaranteed hours policy risks undermining flexibility and increasing costs, as fresh concerns emerge over the impact of the Employment Rights Act.
Terror threat: Measures pubs must take under Martyn’s Law
After the UK terror threat level was raised from “substantial” to “severe”, The MA has outlined what measures pubs must take under Martyn’s Law to protect the public from terrorism.
Biz rates changes expose inconsistencies for pubs with rooms
Operators have raised concerns over inconsistencies in how business rates are applied to pubs with rooms, with some warning the current system fails to reflect how mixed-use hospitality businesses operate.
Key changes impacting pubs in April
A number of changes to legislation and costs hit the sector in April. We’ve rounded up the key changes operators need to be aware of.
Operators warn Gov: We pay wage hikes not you as increases take effect
Pub operators have urged the Government to remember businesses – not ministers - pay wages as increases to the national minimum wage (NMW) and national living wage (NLW) come into force.
Firms warn more jobs at risk as cost hikes bite
Almost two thirds of businesses fear they could be forced to cut jobs as significant cost increases take effect.
Biz rates set to rise as £3.4bn increase takes effect
Business rates bills are set to rise sharply from today, with total UK receipts forecast to rise by £3.4bn to £37.1bn in 2026/27 as the new revaluation cycle takes effect.
Professional advice crucial for tied tenants
The importance of professional advice when taking on and running a tied pub has been stressed by the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).
Warning holiday tax could cause thousands of job losses
The Government’s proposed holiday tax could shrink GDP, cause thousands of job losses and see the Treasury lost hundreds of millions in tax revenue, one trade body has highlighted.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Price: Gov must understand profit is ‘not a dirty word’
The Government must accept profit is “not a dirty word”, but attitudes towards pubs within Parliament are changing, Barons managing director and British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) chair Clive Price has said.