'Higher business taxes to cost pub sector £150m and threaten jobs'

PUBS are facing steeper business taxes that could cost the sector an extra £150 million and threaten thousands of jobs, new analysis suggests.

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Firms will end up paying more despite business rates being lowered in the Budget, industry bosses are warning.

This is because they are facing a cut to existing tax relief next year, coupled with revaluations that could push up how much pubs can be taxed.

Analysis from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) estimates that higher bills will cost the industry an extra £150 million - the equivalent to 12,500 jobs.

The BBPA calculated that bills will rise by £3,867 for the average small pub from next year, and by £11,085 for the average medium-sized pub.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said pubs across the country "are anxiously doing the sums and many will now see their bills will dramatically go up, not down, despite the impression the Budget gave".