Restoring the British Pub

A package the party says this government could pass now: lower hospitality VAT, rates relief, and a freeze on beer duty.

Party page Original PDF

The argument

Restoring the British Pub argues that pubs are civic institutions, not just shops, and that Britain has lost between a quarter and a third of them since 2000, with closures still running at about one a day. Rural and independent houses are said to be hit hardest. The pressures it lists are business rates, 20% VAT, alcohol duty, employer National Insurance, energy prices and rigid licensing.

Unlike the constitutional papers, this one is written as something the current government could do immediately, not only a future Restore Britain ministry. Rupert Lowe, quoted in the launch, said the party would go further in office but wanted measures that are “actually deliverable” now, before the next rates rise closes family businesses.

The package covers tax, investment, labour and licensing, plus a labelling rule the paper ties to British farming.

What they propose

1
Reform business rates for pubs: bring relief back and freeze increases in rateable value.
2
Cut VAT on hospitality sales to 12.5%, with further incentives tied to community events.
3
Freeze and reform alcohol duties; widen draught relief and support for small producers.
4
Extend the Enterprise Investment Scheme so investors can fund the rescue and reopening of failing pubs.
5
Raise the National Insurance threshold for hospitality workers and annualise contributions.
6
Pay completion and retention incentives on hospitality apprenticeships.
7
Update licensing so it supports what the paper calls responsible, community-based pub culture.
8
Require clear meat labelling, framed as support for British farming standards.

In the same file

Community
School fines
Give every pupil up to five days of parent-authorised term-time family leave a year, if attendance and progress still hold.