More than 1,400 British pubs ban Labour MPs over planned business rates rise

More than 1,400 pubs and restaurants across Britain have declared a ban on Labour lawmakers in protest against a planned increase in business rates, a campaign that began at the Old Thatch pub in Wimborne, southern England. Landlords say the change in business rates announced alongside last year’s budget will cost many establishments thousands of pounds a year.

UKHospitality said pubs can expect business rates to rise on average by 15 percent this year, equivalent to about an extra £1,400 per pub after transitional help, and that average bills could be £4,500 higher in 2027–28 and £7,000 higher the following year. The Treasury has said that, thanks to its interventions, “the sector’s total bill will only increase by 4 percent next year.” Andy Lennox, landlord of the Old Thatch and an early organiser of the protest, said, “We have them on the run,” and added he would wait to see the detail of any reversal before lifting the ban: “If you don’t have the stick, you don’t get the carrot.” The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has promised more help and said in Davos that “the situation the pubs face is different from other parts of the hospitality sector, but we will be setting out the detail in the next few days.” Critics have questioned the practicality and inclusiveness of the ban — there are 404 Labour members of Parliament, the article noted — and some local MPs have objected.

Key Topics

Politics, Labour Party, Business Rates, Old Thatch, Andy Lennox, Ukhospitality