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The brewing and pub industry will launch a scathing attack on the Government today, claiming that its “incomprehensible” policies are responsible for an acceleration in the rate of pub closures.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) will release figures claiming that the number of pubs closing their doors has risen from 36 a week in the first six months of 2008 to 39 in the second half of the year.

The figures are released on the day that Parliament debates the Government's proposal for a new mandatory code of practice in the Police and Crime Bill, which, according to official figures, will cost the industry more than £300 million this year.

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “With pubs closing at a record rate and job losses escalating, it is truly staggering that the Government is proposing to hit the sector with a £300million bill for extra red-tape this year alone.

In fact, the Government openly state they believe that their new regulations will lead to more pub closures and job losses.”

The number of pub closures has gathered pace since the introduction of the smoking ban 18 months ago, which sparked a drop-off in beer sales. The situation has been exacerbated by the economic downturn, soaring costs, big duty rises and supermarkets selling beer at loss-leader prices.

Figures compiled by CGA Strategy for the BBPA suggest that 1,973 pubs shut their doors last year, up from 1,409 in 2007.

Mr Hayward said: “It is incomprehensible that the Government is introducing laws that they admit will make the problem worse. Some 44,000 jobs have been lost across the sector in the last couple of years and 59,000 more jobs will go unless action is taken.”

Last week Punch Taverns, Britain's biggest pub operator, announced the loss of up to 100 head office jobs, Scottish & Newcastle said that there would be about 140 job cuts while Daniel Thwaites, the Blackburn-based brewer and pub operator, announced a restructuring affecting 55 pub manager roles and 31 head office positions.

The BBPA said that community pubs were most at risk

PAQUITO ha muerto. Lo dijo Arias Navarro hace 33 años, y lo confirmó el juez Garzón hace solo unas horas. Ha muerto, pero sigue tocando las narices. Y rellenando horas FOROS, televisión y radio con tertulianos montaraces y...