Fuller's Raises Pint Prices 15p Due to £8m Staff Cost Rise After Chancellor Tax Hike

Fuller's pub chain has increased the price of a pint by 15p in response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' tax measures, including a rise in employer National Insurance contributions and the national minimum wage, which together added £8 million in staff costs. Chief Executive Simon Emeny emphasized the company's efforts to keep price increases sensitive to ensure pub visits remain affordable, while also investing in staff training and bar improvements to drive higher sales as a strategy beyond raising prices alone. The British Beer and Pub Association has warned that the average price of a pint in the UK is expected to exceed £5 for the first time, with an anticipated average increase of about 21p due to sector-wide cost pressures. Despite these challenges, Fuller's reported a strong financial performance with a 32% rise in underlying pre-tax profits and a 5.2% increase in like-for-like sales for the year ending March 29. Regional data on pint prices shows London having the highest average lager pint price at £6.07, while areas like the Midlands, northeast, and Wales have cheaper averages around £4.50 to £4.90. Overall, the pub industry faces ongoing cost pressures from tax and wage policies, compelling operators to balance price hikes with investments to sustain customer spending.