'It's not just pubs that are at breaking point'

on withdrawn winter fuel cash and farm taxes, was yesterday denounced as a “pitiful sticking plaster”.

- 

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch warned that the PM and Chancellor Rachel Reeves are “killing” pubs, as ministers scrambled to calm anger over the “devastating” surge in rates.

The government is expected to unveil a support package imminently.

But Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “The problem is far bigger than pubs. Businesses right across Britain are at breaking point because of Rachel Reeves’ choices. Go further and give the rest of the retail, hospitality and leisure sector the support.”

Amid growing criticism, landlords had already banned Labour MPs from more than 1,000 venues.

Now Ms Reeves is expected to bow to pressure and unveil measures to stop well-loved pubs being put out of business by crippling rates bills.

Landlords were faced with a cash crisis as the rateable value of many premises rocketed and plans were laid to end Covid-era discounts. Mrs Badenoch, who has pledged to axe business rates for thousands of pubs if her party regains power, said: “Yesterday Keir Starmer told us Labour had ‘turned a corner’.

“Well, it looks like they’ve turned the corner straight into their first U-turn of 2026. Labour are killing Britain’s pubs. This rumoured U-turn is too little too late. It’s time to back our local pubs.”