UK Pubs Ban Lawmakers Over Tax Hike Threat

More than 1,400 British pubs have banned lawmakers from the opposition Labour Party. The ban is a protest against Labour's plan to increase business rates. Business rates are a property tax paid by companies. Labour has proposed a significant rise in these rates for larger businesses, including pub chains. Publicans, or pub owners, say the tax increase would force many establishments to close. They enacted the ban to get the party's attention. The protest worked. After the widespread ban, Labour officials agreed to meet with pub industry leaders to discuss their concerns. The party has not yet changed its proposed policy.