A 'million hospitality jobs at risk' after PM's call for public to stay in

BORIS Johnson was warned yesterday that his “stay home” coronavirus plan threatened up to a million jobs at pubs, bars and restaurants.

- Cyril Dixon

Critics say the Prime Minister has left the hospitality industry facing financial disaster by telling Britons to avoid gatherings and crowded places.

Ahead of last night’s announcement of financial help, including a rates holiday, landlords, brewers, restaurant owners and chefs demanded tax breaks and other measures to compensate for lost custom.

They also claimed he had denied many outlets access to “business interrupted” insurance payouts by failing to issue a compulsory closure order.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said Mr Johnson had forced the licensing trade into an “existential crisis”.

“Forced pub closures without a meaningful support package will have a catastrophic financial and social impact,” she added. The association has written to Downing Street asking for a six-month window on beer duty and business rates, and breaks on VAT, pay and corporation tax.

James Calder of the Society of Independent Brewers urged the Government to offer rent and tax breaks for brewers, and for licensing laws to be relaxed so they can sell and deliver drink directly to homes.

Tim Martin, chairman of pub giant Wetherspoon, said the “lockdown” would endanger the annual £120billion tax revenues from hospitality.