Pub bosses have called for immediate tax relief to prevent widespread closures and redundancies.

Sector leaders who took part in an emergency summit in London say they are "petrified" about the consequences of forthcoming tax increases revealed in last month's Budget.

The British Beer and Pub Association is urging the Government to implement a 30% business rates relief scheme specifically for pubs to safeguard the future of venues nationwide.

Publicans have cautioned that higher business rates could result in up to 15,000 job losses and hundreds of closures.

In last month's Budget, the Chancellor revealed that the current 40% discount for retail, hospitality and leisure enterprises – capped at £110,000 per business – will cease on March 31 next year.

From the next financial year, this

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