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Young People Are Paying the Price as Rural Pubs Fight to Survive
- 12 minutes ago
- 1 min read
On 18 June 2026, Jess Brown-Fuller took part in a Westminster Hall debate, raising the alarm over the growing pressures facing rural pubs and the wider impact their decline is having on young people struggling to find meaningful work opportunities.
Jess highlighted that with businesses across all sectors facing significant cost pressures, they are increasingly reluctant to take a chance on employing young people compared to just a few years ago. The recently published Milburn Report revealed that the number of young people aged 16–24 not in employment, education or training, known as NEETs, has now reached its highest level in 12 years. Without urgent government action, one in six young people is predicted to fall into this category within five years.
This is not the first time Jess has spoken out on the issue. She previously visited The Horse & Groom in East Ashling, where she heard directly from publican John Ayton MBE about how rising costs are squeezing even the most well-loved and well-used village pubs.
In response to the crisis, the Liberal Democrats are calling for an emergency cut to VAT - from 20% to 15% - for pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels and visitor attractions, with the aim of bringing prices down and breathing new life into struggling high street businesses.
