The Meriden and Solihull East representative has called on ministers to increase financial support for countryside pubs at a quicker pace.

Saqib Bhatti led a Westminster Hall discussion, stating how proud he was of the drinking establishments throughout his constituency.

In opening the debate, he pointed out various venues which he said could form a pub crawl in the region, including The Malt Shovel in Barston, The Queen’s Head in Meriden, The White Lion in Hampton in Arden, The Boat in Catherine-de-Barnes, The Railway Inn in Dorridge, The Forest in Dorridge, and The Red Lion in Knowle.

He mentioned The Drum and Monkey as his local, describing it as a historic country pub established in the 1860s, during the debate on June 17.

His constituency contains approximately 40 local pubs providing employment for around 1,740 people. Across the West Midlands region, there are over 4,000 rural pubs employing 88,000 individuals and adding £2.9 billion to the economy. Beyond their considerable economic contribution, these establishments also serve as essential components of rural community life.

However, he expressed concern to fellow parliamentarians about the impact of government policies, particularly the rise in national insurance contributions affecting rural pubs nationwide.

The British Beer and Pub Association reports that 161 pubs ceased trading during the first three months of this year across England, Scotland and Wales, equating to approximately two closures daily.

Industry data also shows this resulted in around 2,400 job losses during that same period. Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, responded by noting that the government provides rural rates relief, though this applies exclusively to pubs located in villages with populations not exceeding 3,000.

Approximately 2,000 businesses across the country utilise the rural rate relief scheme, which also covers shops, he explained. He urged all MPs to ensure local enterprises are informed about this support, which was similarly available under the previous administration and is valued by those businesses that access it.

Concluding the debate, Mr Bhatti said the hospitality sector desperately needs more breathing room and that the government must act with greater speed and ambition, warning that inaction itself constitutes a choice with serious consequences as more pubs will continue to disappear.