‘A load of rubbish’: Pubs round on Starmer’s licencing offer January 7, 2026 Pub and hospitality bosses have rounded on Keir Starmer’s suggestion that relaxed licencing laws may compensate the industry for business rates bills having risen at the Budget, branding the proposal “a load of rubbish”. The Prime Minister confirmed his government was talking to industry leaders about “what further support” ministers could provide pubs and other [...]
Starmer risks killing the great British pub January 7, 2026 Everyone has a favourite pub. It might be one you go back to on holiday or it could be at the end of your road. It could be a stone’s throw from the office (City AM is blessed in this regard) or one that’s still going from your uni years. The City AM Toast Awards [...]
Business rates reform must even playing field between high street and online January 6, 2026 Bricks and mortar businesses are being unfairly punished by outdated business rates in need of reform, writes Ros Morgan
Britain lost one pub a day in 2025 December 31, 2025 One pub a day closed its doors in 2025 as businesses were forced to battle mounting cost pressures and an increasingly heavy tax burden. Fresh analysis from global tax firm Ryan showed 366 pubs were demolished or converted for other uses in the last 12 months. Since 2020, nearly 2,000 pubs have closed for good, [...]
Flight prices set to jump as regional airports set for rocketing tax bills December 29, 2025 Air passengers are being warned to brace for flight prices to jump as regional airports across the UK face “unprecedented” rises in property tax next year. Analysis of official Government data for the Press Association has revealed regional airports are among those facing the steepest increases in business rates of any sector in the UK [...]
Hospitality business rates set to nearly double by 2028 despite government tax cut claims December 20, 2025 Hospitality venues across England will see their business rates bill nearly double in the next three years as a result of the government’s controversial overhaul of the commercial property tax. A fresh analysis of government figures found that most pubs, restaurants and hotels will pay over £32,000 more on property tax by 2028, despite ministers [...]
Heathrow ‘under pressure’ amid rising costs December 19, 2025 Heathrow Airport has warned that rising employment costs and the government’s controversial business rates overhaul will wipe out the additional revenues generated from a record number of passengers passing through the west London hub. In an update to bondholders, the UK’s largest airport revealed its profit had plummeted by 38 per cent in the nine [...]
US tech stocks tumble after data centre setback sparks investor concerns December 18, 2025 US tech stocks fell on Wednesday after news that software company Oracle had lost a key backer for its data centre project, reigniting investors’ concerns about AI companies’ spending. The tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 1.8 per cent to $22,693.32 (£ 17,975.06), finishing at its lowest level since late November, while Oracle fell 5.4 per cent to [...]
High earners see purchasing powers eroded after Budget measures December 15, 2025 High earner households could lose thousands in purchasing power over the next few years as a result of measures introduced in last month’s Autumn Budget. According to analysis of HM Treasury data, high earners not rich yet (HENRY) households will see an average reduction in their annual purchasing powers by over £15,000 by 2029, due [...]
‘Petrified’ publicans call on government for urgent support December 12, 2025 Pub chiefs have used an emergency meeting to call on the government to provide urgent tax relief in order to stave off closures and job losses. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged Labour to introduce 30 per cent business rates relief for pubs to help protect the future of the beleaguered sector. [...]