Missed opportunities leaves pubs swinging

Pub and bar operators were hoping for some small sliver of support to enable them to see light at the end of the tunnel, only to see that light cruelly snuffed out, while the bankers were given the green light to fill their boots.

The lack of any movement on VAT, unless you’re a foreign tourist who’d like a bit of cheaper shopping, and the decision to ignore the business rates mess is a bitter blow for many.

No immediate support​

Of course the Government will point to the scrapping of planned rises on alcohol, but does that give any immediate support to struggling operators? No. Nice for the brewers and supermarkets though.

The NI increase being scrapped is good, but its small beer in the face of rampant interest rises, and you’re only going to benefit from the drop in Corporation Tax if you make a profit, which at the moment is not looking particularly likely for a lot of businesses.

None of the measures the Government will be congratulating itself on is going to have any immediate impact, and it was immediacy that was needed here.

Party for big business only?​

For a party that’s supposedly pro-business, there’s a lot of businesses out there that have been left feeling they’re out in the cold. Maybe it’s now just the party of big business?

And once again the opportunity to give more details on how the energy support scheme is going to work has been ignored.

Pubs and bars are once again going to be left dangling while the MPs pat themselves on the back and head off for a few weeks jollies by the seaside.

There appears to be no sense of this Government truly understanding the reality of the crisis that is engulfing this, and other sectors. But don’t worry, we’ll be able to attract some foreign bankers to the UK. Let’s just hope they’ll still have somewhere to celebrate their bonuses