Pop music icon Rick Astley has publicly criticized the recent tax changes proposed by the Labour Party, which he believes will severely impact struggling pubs across the United Kingdom. As a part-owner of Mikkeller Brewpub in North London, Astley has become an outspoken advocate for the hospitality industry, emphasizing the potential job losses and financial strain the new measures could impose.
Astley, known for his hit “Never Gonna Give You Up,” expressed his concerns about the government’s plans to increase business rates. The proposed changes could lead to a staggering increase in costs for pubs, with some estimates suggesting that bills may rise by as much as £6,000. According to the British Beer and Pub Association, approximately 2,000 pubs have already closed in the past five years. If further assistance is not provided, the association warns that an additional 15,000 jobs could be at risk.
In a statement, Astley highlighted the combination of rising National Insurance costs, increased alcohol duties, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. He remarked, “Removing business rates relief from pubs is pulling the rug out from underneath them at a time when they’re already struggling to make ends meet.” His comments reflect a growing sentiment among landlords and business owners in the sector who are grappling with rising operational costs.
Astley’s stance aligns him with other prominent figures in the hospitality industry, including television personality Jeremy Clarkson, who operates a pub in Oxfordshire. Clarkson has also supported the Taxed Out campaign, which aims to ban Labour MPs from pubs in protest against the proposed tax increases. While Astley has shown solidarity with the campaign, he has not committed to implementing a blanket ban on Labour representatives in his establishment.
The challenges facing the pub industry are compounded by rising labour costs due to increases in the minimum wage and National Insurance contributions, as well as soaring energy prices. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, stated, “Every time a pub closes, it takes with it jobs and the heart and soul of the community.”
As the debate continues, Astley’s involvement underscores the urgency of the situation for the hospitality sector, which has been hit hard by a series of economic challenges. The fate of many local pubs hangs in the balance as stakeholders await further developments from the government regarding support measures.
