Rachel Reeves accused of 'attacking British business' as two pubs a DAY forced to close: 'What has she got against pubs?!'

Andrew Griffith has launched a scathing attack on Rachel Reeves after new data revealed that two British pubs a day have been forced to close.

Speaking to GB News, the Shadow Business Secretary hit out at the Chancellor's surging business rates, asking: "What does she have against British pubs?"

The new data, published by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), also revealed 161 venues shut their doors between January and March 2026.

The association said the latest data marks a 26 per cent rise on the same period last year and has resulted in the loss of around 2,400 jobs.

Reacting to the latest figures, Mr Griffith told GB News as an MP of a rural constituency, he "completely understands the importance of the great British pub".

He said: "Well, what is it that Rachel Reeves has against the great British pub?

"She's piling on more employment costs and jacking up National Insurance, business rates which the Conservatives have said we will abolish business rates for quarter of a million of the smallest businesses, that is most pubs."

Mr Griffith added the Tories would take "most pubs" out of business rates entirely if they returned to power.

Defending the British pubs, Mr Griffith argued that the industry is facing the "sharp end" of Labour's policy, led by Ms Reeves.

He told GB News: "The great British pub finds themselves right at the sharp end of almost every one of the Government's policies.

"We would take a very, very different approach. We understand the importance of the great British pub."

The Shadow Business Secretary also highlighted the importance of pubs in his own constituency and how Labour's policies are affecting his constituents.

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He said: "I understand in my rural constituency the importance of the great British pub.

"We have such good pubs here in West Sussex, and I would urge people to come and discover them.

"But we need a Government that's got the backs of business, not a Government that attacks business."

Chief executive of the BBPA Emma McClarkin said even pubs doing good trade were having their profits "wiped out by a disproportionate tax burden and huge costs".

She said: "The scale of these closures is avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade, but their profits are wiped out by a disproportionate tax burden and huge costs."

In a statement, a Government spokesman said: "We are backing Britain’s pubs.

"Cutting April’s business rates bills by 15 per cent followed by a two-year freeze, extending World Cup opening hours and increasing the Hospitality Support Fund to £10million to help venues grow.

"Later this year, we’ll also build on our Pride in Place programme with our new High Streets Strategy to revitalise our town centres."

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