A trade leader has called for the industry to unite against the threat of VAT being hiked in the new government's emergency Budget next month.
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, told The Publican: "One of the things we have to campaign on as a sector is the very real concern about VAT going up, in which case we feel beer duty should come down.
"We have already taken our double whammy on VAT and we now have a very short period time to campaign."
Last month it was reported that the Tories had a "secret plot" to raise VAT to 19.5 per cent in an emergency Budget, which is expected in the next 50 days.
On the wider issues affecting the trade and the potential for help, she said: "I honestly think they have other things to worry about at the moment."
But she warned there was the "potential for licensing to move back to the Home Office".
"If this happens we will need a sponsoring department for the pub sector," Simmonds added.
"We would have some serious concerns as only 12 per cent of pubs are in towns centres and the Home Office is focussed on law and order."
Simmonds also admitted that some of her members would be pleased that Labour's National Insurance hike, the so-called "job tax", would now be abandoned.
Meawhile, the Forum of Private Business gave a cautious welcome to the new coalition government.
"Hopefully, Mr Cameron's appointment will herald the beginning of a workable government which will ensure economic stability and give smaller firms the confidence to aspire and grow," said chief executive Phil Orford.