Labour is heading for a showdown with the hospitality sector as Reeves’ business rates changes are set to clobber the industry. There’s still confusion over why pubs will get some form of special treatment after a heavily-trailed U-turn. At today’s Lobby briefing of political journalists Starmer’s spokesman was still unable to explain why hotels, restaurants, and cafes will be shafted…
It hardly reassures the industry that Labour’s engagement with it appears to be shrinking. The number of meetings with the Hospitality Sector Council – which the government says is meant to “build the sector’s longer-term resilience” post-Covid – halved in 2025 compared to the previous year. Their last meeting with industry leaders was before the Budget, so there’s been nothing since Reeves announced she was scrapping the Covid-era 40% business rates relief that will push thousands over the edge…
In 2024 the council met four times, including in December after Reeves’ first Budget. Last year, they only managed two meetings: one with then-hospitality minister Gareth Thomas and one with his successor Kate Dearden. No doubt Labour is dreading the next one. Whenever that happens…
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