Cambridge pub landlady criticises budget support as 'lip service'

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 12:27 · Archive

A Cambridge pub landlady has accused the government of only paying 'lip service' to supporting hospitality in the latest budget.

Hayley Pellegrini, who runs five pubs in Cambridge with her husband Steve, including The Portland Arms and The Alex, has accused the government of offering only 'lip service' to hospitality following Chancellor John Healey's recent budget.

The budget includes raising the threshold for Small Business Rates Relief in England from £12,000 to £18,000, meaning businesses with a rateable value below this level will pay no business rates. However, pub operators will face higher wage bills as the national living wage for workers aged 21 and over will increase from £12.71 an hour to £13.21. Both changes will take effect from April 2027. Alcohol duty will also increase in line with inflation from 1 February.

Pellegrini, 56, said she does not feel small businesses are receiving the support they need. 'We work ridiculous hours and what we pay ourselves we worked out is probably below minimum wage,' she said. 'I don't feel like we are getting the support we need – they aren't doing anything, they want to be seen as being pub goers and that but they aren't doing anything.'

She highlighted that the challenge extends beyond pubs to small businesses generally. 'It's not just pubs, it's small businesses in general – we have friends who have small businesses and they are struggling as well,' she said.

Pellegrini argued that small businesses are discouraged from expanding as they will lose relief if they grow and will face higher wage bills from increased national insurance contributions alongside the rise in the minimum wage.

How it is being reported

• Support for pubs only 'lip service' after budget says landladyThe first budget under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham was delivered last month, but a pub landlady has said it offers nothing for struggling small businessesCambridgeshire Live · 15 Nov, 12:00
• Support for pubs only ‘lip service’ after budget says landladyA Cambridge pub landlady has accused the government of only paying “lip service” to supporting hospitality following the latest budget.Ely Standard · 14 Nov, 04:00
• Support for pubs only ‘lip service’ after budget says landladyA Cambridge pub landlady has accused the government of only paying “lip service” to supporting hospitality following the latest budget.Cambs Times · 14 Nov, 04:00

In this story: Hayley Pellegrini · John Healey · Andy Burnham · Cambridge · The Portland Arms · The Alex

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