MPs favourable towards the hospitality sector, new research reveals

A new survey has revealed overwhelming cross-party support for the UK hospitality industry, with 90% of MPs expressing favourable views—placing mounting pressure on the Chancellor to deliver sweeping reforms in the upcoming Budget.

The research, conducted by Ipsos, found that 96% of Conservative MPs and 86% of Labour MPs surveyed held positive views of the sector. Not a single MP expressed an unfavourable opinion, a result Ipsos described as “extremely rare” in four decades of parliamentary polling.

The findings were published as the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) warned that the Government has just five weeks to prevent the loss of 5,000 jobs and the closure of over 2,000 pubs in 2026. The trade body is calling for urgent action to address what it describes as “crushing fiscal pressures” on the sector.

“This Budget is a once in a generation opportunity to undo years of punitive costs and reset the regulatory landscape,” said Emma McClarkin, CEO of the BBPA. “MPs from across the political divide recognise the value of pubs to their communities. The Chancellor must now act to protect these vital institutions.”

The BBPA is urging the Government to:

• Deliver meaningful business rates reform
• Cut beer duty
• Mitigate soaring employment costs
• Review the packaging tax, which it says is chaotic and unfair

According to the Association, granting the maximum 20p duty discount in the Budget could save approximately 800 pubs and more than 5,400 jobs.

Ipsos Corporate Reputation Director Ed Whitehead said the results reflect the sector’s deep local impact: “MPs consistently tell us that a company’s presence in their constituency is the key driver of favourability. These findings suggest widespread appreciation for hospitality’s role in UK communities.”

The BBPA has warned that without intervention, the end of business rates relief and continued cost pressures could result in six pub closures per day next year.