Restore Britain's policy on the British pub

The paper argues that the business rates changes taking effect from April 2026, the end of the temporary 40% Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief combined with a revaluation, leave the typical community pub facing a much higher bill. It calls on the government to reinstate the 40% relief and freeze the rateable value increases. Its policy heading also proposes a multiplier of 30p for pubs, with an additional rural heritage exemption.

On VAT, Restore Britain supports cutting the rate on all hospitality sales from 20% to 12.5%, pointing to the temporary reduced rates used during the Covid pandemic. The paper suggests tying the relief to “community credits”: rebates for pubs that host local events such as quizzes and charity nights, verified through a simple app, along the lines of French tax credits for cafés that put on cultural events.

Restore Britain would freeze alcohol duty and backs the independent brewers' association SIBA in calling for Draught Relief, the lower duty rate on drinks sold on draught, to rise from 9.2% to at least 20%.

A “Buy British” scheme would give small alcohol producers, including brewers, cider makers, distillers and wineries, a tapered duty discount of up to 50% on products sold to hospitality, based on the existing Small Producer Relief and extended to higher-strength drinks. The paper argues this would help rural orchards and barley growers as well as pubs.

The Enterprise Investment Scheme, which gives investors 30% income tax relief, would be extended to pubs that have closed within the past three years or are at imminent risk of closure, defined as loss-making for two years or more. Money raised would have to go on reopening, refurbishment or new offerings such as food and events rather than debt repayment, with anti-abuse rules, a three-year trading requirement and priority for rural and underserved areas.

The employer National Insurance threshold for hospitality staff would rise from £5,000 to £15,000, which the paper says would in effect reverse the 2025 increase. Contributions would be calculated annually, as PAYE is, so that seasonal workers are not treated as if they earned their summer pay all year. Employers would also get a one-year National Insurance holiday when hiring someone who is out of work or on benefits.

Hospitality apprentices would receive a £1,500 bonus on completion and their employer £1,000, with a further £2,500 split between them if the apprentice stays with the same local employer for two years. The paper also proposes shorter minimum durations, opening apprenticeships to all ages and adding hospitality to the priority sectors of the new Growth and Skills Levy.

In England and Wales, 16- and 17-year-olds may currently drink beer, wine or cider with a meal only if an adult buys it and sits with them. The paper proposes that pubs could apply for a licence variation allowing them to serve draught drinks under 4% ABV to 16- and 17-year-olds without an adult, with a limit on drinks per visit and approval and training overseen by local licensing departments. It calls this a “Youth Pint Pact”. The paper also says any move to tighten drink-driving rules should be resisted, because many rural pubs can only be reached by car.

Pubs would label clearly how the meat they serve was slaughtered, including whether the animal was stunned, which the paper presents as support for British farming standards. On energy costs, the paper said the issue was beyond its scope; the party later set out its approach in its energy policy.