But those hoping to pitch up at their local pub for a restorative pint with colleagues and constituents may find festive cheer is in short supply. The campaign means, for many Labour MPs, there is one less place to escape the bruising reality of their party’s unpopularity. “The local pub is where we used to go with the kids and just be a normal family. Whitbread, which owns pubs, restaurants and the Premier Inn hotel chain, says it will have to pay between £40m and £50m in tax as a result. “We’re protecting pubs, restaurants and cafes with the budget’s £4.3bn support package.

Source: The Guardian December 21, 2025 09:01 UTC