Pubs face daily closures after tax raids |
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned that one pub will close every day this year, with a projected 378 closures across England, Wales, and Scotland. The increase from 350 closures last year is attributed to rising costs, with £1 of every £3 spent on pints and food going to taxes. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform, described the situation as an "absolute tragedy," highlighting that the rise in National Insurance contributions has severely impacted profits. Tim Martin, CEO of Wetherspoons, called for tax equality with supermarkets to prevent further closures. Emma McClarkin, BBPA's chief executive, said: "For many, it's impossible to make a profit," leading to the potential loss of nearly 6,000 jobs.