Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Hospitality Sector Bicester and Woodstock 2025-10-30

2025-10-30

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Calum Miller LD
Bicester and Woodstock
▸ Context
The question addresses the struggles faced by hospitality businesses, specifically pubs, in meeting high operational costs despite loyal customers and rising turnover. It highlights examples of village pubs like the Red Lion in Eynsham and Oxfordshire Yeoman in Freeland, run by Becky and Donna respectively.
I welcome the Minister to her place. Becky, who runs the Red Lion in Eynsham, and Donna, who runs the Oxfordshire Yeoman in Freeland, tell me that they are working upwards of 80 hours a week just to keep their pubs open. Despite loyal customers and rising turnover, they are struggling to meet soaring bills from employment costs, food, energy, business rates and a tied tenancy, which means that prices are over £100 more per barrel. In small villages across my constituency, pubs are the lifeblood and fabric of the community. Will the Minister meet Becky, Donna and me to discuss what more the Government can do to support the vital village pub?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
I agree with the hon. Member that pubs are the lifeblood of our local communities. We recognise the challenges facing the hospitality sector, particularly our pubs. They play such an important role in our local communities as places where people can come together to celebrate, connect and build communities, and that is especially true of the pubs that he mentioned in his constituency. I would of course be happy to meet him and his pub managers to celebrate their contribution to his constituency. We continue to work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council and industry leaders across the country to understand the pressures facing pubs, and to co-create solutions for the long-term stability and local economic growth that are vital for our communities and our country.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific commitments or actions beyond a willingness to meet. The response focused on general principles of support without concrete details.
Response accuracy