SNP and Labour are putting our pubs in jeopardy

High tax threatens 70% of licensed premises

- By David Walker Scottish Politics Reporter

SCOTTISH pubs are under threat thanks to the SNP and Labour's “two high-tax, left-wing governments”, it has been claimed.

A new report from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has warned of a “brutal” outlook for the industry over the next year.

It shows an alarming 70% of outlets are in decline or considering closure, while 59% are expecting to make a loss in 2025.

Three-quarters (75%) of hospitality outlets said profits were down on last year, with 14% either closing or seriously considering closure.

In the SLTA’s January report, this figure was 6%.

Over 350 pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels contributed to the market insight survey.

SLTA managing director Colin Wilkinson described the findings as the “most negative we have seen” since the survey began 10 years ago.

He said: “These insights are extremely concerning and the only word to describe the current trading conditions is ‘brutal’. There has never been so much business uncertainty.