We own pubs - Andy Burnham's 20% cut is a start, this is what we want him to change next

Pub landlords have welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to cut business rates by 20%, but warned a VAT reduction is urgently needed to save hospitality. The Prime Minister announced the rate relief for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England, with ministers saying the £100 million package will benefit almost 32,000 hospitality businesses.

However, publicans told the Express the savings would barely touch the sides as soaring National Insurance bills, wages, energy costs and taxes continue to squeeze already wafer-thin margins. The aptly named Peter Brew, 52, co-owner of The Black Dog Beer House in Brentford, said the reduction was welcome but insignificant compared with the industry's wider financial pressures.