Pubs and restaurants are ‘under threat’ after Labour’s tax hikes — with a third now running at a loss

PUBS and restaurants are being driven into the ground by Labour’s tax hikes - with a THIRD now operating at a loss.

A damning industry survey reveals the number of boozers at risk of closure has increased 11 per cent in the last three months.

Landlords are now warning punters that putting up drink prices is the only way they can survive.

The average price of a pint has already soared to £5.17 in Britain, and The Sun’s Save Our Sups campaign is calling for more support for the countries’ embattled locals.

In a rare joint intervention, four trade bodies have come together today to warn hospitality is “under threat” due to April’s National Insurance rises and Business Rates whack.

They are demanding urgent relief for the pub and restaurant sector which they claim was saddled with £3.4billion extra costs.

As well as a third of bosses disclosing they are in the red, their survey also revealed six in 10 have been forced to cut staff to save money.

Sounding the alarm are UK Hospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster.

They said: “Hospitality is vital to the UK economy but is under threat from ongoing costs rises, which the April increases have only exacerbated.

“Jobs are being lost, livelihoods under threat, communities set to lose precious assets, and consumers are experiencing price rises when wallets are already feeling the pinch.”

Meanwhile, a separate report showed private sector activity is at its weakest since 2022.

The Confederation of British Industry also blamed Rachel Reeves’ £25billion NICs hikes for hurting businesses.

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