Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged that a crucial support package for Britain's struggling pubs is imminent, as the industry faces a looming increase in business rates this spring.
Urgent Work on a Lifeline for Boozers
The Chancellor confirmed she is working "intensely" to finalise details of the assistance, which is expected to be announced in the "next few days and weeks". While speaking to BBC Breakfast, she refused to specify the exact financial figure involved but assured publicans that help is on the way.
Pubs are confronting a significant rise in bills from April 2026, driven by a post-pandemic revaluation of properties and the gradual withdrawal of Covid-era relief schemes. The government has already allocated an additional £4.3 billion to soften this transition, but Ms Reeves acknowledged that some establishments still face a steep climb.
Targeted Aid for Pandemic-Hit Pubs
Ms Reeves signalled that the government's focus is squarely on pubs, which were forced to close during the pandemic and have since seen sharp increases in their rateable values. She indicated resistance to broadening the financial aid to all ailing businesses, noting that many smaller cafes do not pay business rates at all due to their size.
"The biggest concern right now is around pubs," she stated, emphasising the unique challenges faced by the sector. The anticipated support package is likely to include a combination of:
- Targeted business rates relief.
- Measures to reduce red tape around licensing regulations.
A Race Against Time as Closures Continue
The urgency of the situation is underscored by reports that an average of six pubs are closing every day across the UK. The Mirror newspaper has been running its "Your Pub Needs You" campaign to highlight the crisis.
Ms Reeves stressed that the government still has time to "get this right," as the new rates are not due to take effect until April. "These changes are coming in in April, so we've still got time," she said, while accepting that "everyday counts" for businesses on the brink.
The Chancellor's comments confirm a government climbdown on the initial plans, with specific details of the revised support expected to be unveiled shortly.
