Pub fears

Paul Nuttall MEP has spoken of his sorrow that local pubs are on the road to obsolescence.

"The latest report shows that pubs are still closing at a depressing rate and I see no signs of improvement," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

His remarks follow a Red Flag Alert report from finance consultants Begbies Traynor showing that the pub, bar and restaurant sector suffered a 95% increase in "critical" problems in the first quarter of the year compared with the previous quarter.

"UKIP is the only political party fighting to save the pub industry and meanwhile the coalition government is blithely presiding over its demise. When pubs close it is not just the loss of an irreplaceable community asset that is important but the loss of jobs," said Mr Nuttall.