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28th January 2025

BII Open Letter to Chancellor

Planned pub tax rises already resulting in job losses, cancelled investment and business failure

Steve Alton, CEO of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), has written an open letter to the Chancellor, calling for the cancellation of the planned National Insurance Contributions (NICs) changes as well as the decreased level of relief on Business Rates bills for pubs until full and meaningful reform is implemented.

Steve Alton commented:

“The impact of these devastating tax increases is already being seen in independent pubs, with widespread cuts to staffing, opening hours and investment plans. Despite many BII members reporting better than expected trade in January, thanks to the diversification of their businesses, attracting different types of customers, their already high overheads mean this is simply not translating into profit.  In a recent members survey 80% of operators expect to be unprofitable due to the planned tax rises.

“Pubs offer so much more than just a brilliant pint, and operators have worked incredibly hard to provide a safe space for everyone to connect, celebrate and socialise, as well as providing vital local employment and diverse career opportunities.

“The choices made by the Chancellor are now fundamentally undermining growth, investment and employment in our sector, with quality operators having to make difficult decisions regarding their teams and the future of their businesses.  Cancelling the planned tax increases for pubs, which are in addition to an already unfair tax burden they are facing, will unlock their potential for growth, allow them to expand their teams, providing essential skilled, local employment and prevent unnecessary business failure.”

Notes to the editor:

About the British Institute of Innkeeping:

The BII is the leading independent licensee support organisation for individuals working in hospitality, with 13,000 individual members running premises across the UK – predominantly tenanted, leased, managed and freehold pubs. The organisation provides expert helplines, online business support, and guidance on key industry issues, and savings on a range of supply deals for its members, keeping pubs thriving in the heart of every community.

BII Open Letter to Chancellor


For further information please contact:

Molly Davis

Head of Communications

Sentinel House, Ancells Business Park, Harvest Crescent, Fleet, GU51 2UZ

Mob: 07539 377752

Web: www.bii.org

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