29 h. ago ‘I have lost a friend’: Tories in Jenrick’s constituency shocked by defection to Reform

While voters in Jenrick’s Newark constituency were mixed on the decision, members of the local Conservatives felt betrayedFor Sam Smith, Thursday began as an ordinary day. The Conservative councillor was preparing for a budget scrutiny meeting at the Reform-led Nottinghamshire county council hall, where he is leader of the opposition, when he received a message from long-time friend Robert Jenrick.The MP’s message to the Newark Conservative Association’s group chat queried what local pubs they could visit to oppose Labour’s hike on business rates. Continue reading...

Events

37 h. ago Landlords vow to keep Labour MPs barred from pubs unless Rachel Reeves delivers fair business rates deal

LANDLORDS say they will keep Labour politicians barred from pubs and restaurants unless Chancellor Rachel Reeves dishes out a fair deal on business rates.  In a fiery letter to all Labour MPs, they say venues are being “taxed out of existence” despite pumping £60billion a year into the Treasury and supporting millions of jobs.   They...

Economics

2 d. ago Business rates hangover as Scotland’s retailers have Christmas to forget amid cost

“Those who did shop continued to take a parsimonious approach towards spending” – David Lonsdale, SRC

Economics

3 d. ago Can 'embarrassing' Starmer stick to ANY policies? PM 'set for more U

Keir Starmer has cemented his reputation for flip-flopping with two more major concessions in 2026, just a fortnight into the New Year.

Events

3 d. ago Labour is 'squeezing the life out of hospitality': Hotel chiefs slam 'punitive' business rates hikes and call for pubs tax U

As the backlash over the Chancellor's botched business rates reforms mounts, Sir Rocco Forte described it as 'a mess of the government's own making'.

Economics

3 d. ago Which pubs near you are in danger? London’s most at risk boozers revealed

A new website shows which pubs are facing the biggest business rate hikes - and many are in deep trouble

Events

3 d. ago Hope for first time buyers as Nationwide and HSBC push through mortgage rate cuts

New mortgage price war follows a period of falling gilt yields at the start of the year

Economics

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves insists help for pubs is coming but says temporary support 'not affordable'

The Chancellor told BBC Breakfast she hadn't spent a 'huge amount of time' at the pub recently as government edges closes to business rates U-turn

Politics

4 d. ago Cheap Chinese imports to help drive inflation to target, says Bank rate

Alan Taylor sees inflation hitting the Bank’s 2% target by the middle of the year.

Economics

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves confirms pubs will get ‘more temporary support’

It follows pressure from landlords and industry groups over a major hike in business rates.

Politics

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves says she is 'working intensely' on pubs bailout

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed there is 'additional support coming' and she was determined to 'get this right'.

Politics

4 d. ago Jeremy Clarkson opens up about 'bleak situation' running The Farmer's Dog

The publican said running the Cotswolds pub is ‘pretty terrible’ at the moment

Politics

4 d. ago More than 5,000 pubs face brutal business rates hike after property tax values DOUBLE

The head of the Valuation Office Agency told MPs that 13 per cent of pubs - a total of 5,100 - have been hit with a 100 per cent rise in their so-called 'rateable value'.

Economics

4 d. ago Business rates relief package a ‘sticking plaster’, Scottish ministers warned

Finance Secretary Shona Robison has announced her Budget for 2026-27.

Events

4 d. ago Sacha Lord condemns Rachel Reeves as being 'worse for pubs than Covid' as landlords say rescue package is not enough to save them after Chancellor's hammer

The Treasury signalled a major U-turn on business rate hikes for pubs last week amid warnings hundreds could be forced to close.

Events

4 d. ago More than 5,000 pubs facing sharp business rate hikes as tax valuations double

It comes after weeks of criticism from pub bosses, industry chiefs and politicians over changes to business rates in the Budget.

Economics

5 d. ago Premier Inn owner Whitbread flags revised £35 million business rates hit: shares jump

“We remain highly disciplined regarding our strategic actions” – Dominic Paul, CEO

Economics

5 d. ago Retailers suffer ‘drab’ Christmas as shoppers shun gifting for sales – figures

Total UK retail sales were up 1.2% year-on-year in December – well below last December’s growth of 3.2% and the 12-month average of 2.3%.

Economics

5 d. ago Shock number of pubs & restaurants that may have to shut EVERY DAY unless Labour reverses business rates hike revealed

AN average of six pubs, ­restaurants or hotels will shut every day from April unless the Government reverses its business rates hike, industry leaders warn. Figures suggest 2,077 hospitality venues face being wiped out. They have survived in recent years due to government schemes giving them relief on business rates. But discounts are due to...

Events

5 d. ago More than 2000 hospitality businesses 'set to close this year'

Business rates bills for many set to shoot up in April following Budget announcement

Politics