Budget Hammerblow: Chancellor Dismisses Night-Time Economy Asks Says NTIA
27 November 2025 - Press releaseStatement from Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association
"This Budget is a hammer blow to an already fragile night-time economy. Its impact will be felt across every high street and town centre in the UK. With inflation now higher than its been for some months and the cost of living becoming increasingly unsustainable, disposable income has all but disappeared, swallowed up by rising everyday costs.
"This Budget is a hammer blow to an already fragile night-time economy. Its impact will be felt across every high street and town centre in the UK. With inflation now higher than its been for some months and the cost of living becoming increasingly unsustainable, disposable income has all but disappeared, swallowed up by rising everyday costs.
We are deeply concerned by the scale of direct and indirect tax increases set to hit our sector over the coming months. Many venues are already operating on the edge, and we will inevitably see businesses handing back their keys by January, when VAT, quarterly rent payments, and other financial obligations collide. The pressure on both operators and consumers is now completely unsustainable.
A 4.1% increase in the minimum wage to £12.71 may sound positive on the surface, but when coupled with an 8.5% rise for 18–20 year-olds, it presents a serious challenge for a sector that employs a large proportion of young people. Without meaningful support for businesses, this risks devastating consequences for staffing, long-term sustainability, and job opportunities in the very communities the Government claims to champion.
This is not about political point-scoring, or blame. These are Government decisions, and they must take responsibility for the consequences. People will respond, at the ballot box and in their communities. As we head towards May next year, one thing is clear: the honeymoon period is over, and the night-time economy will not forget.
The Chancellor has clearly not read the room. In fact, for many in our sector, it feels like the Government left the room a long time ago."
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