Budget 2013: What it really means for your hospitality business

With the economy refusing to budge and fears the UK is slipping back towards recession, all eyes were on the Chancellor this week and the hospitality industry certainly had a long checklist of things they wanted to hear in the Budget speech.​

The removal of the so-called beer tax escalator and a subsequent cut in duty made all the headlines​ but there was more for restaurants, hotels and pubs & bars to cheer in the form of good news on Corporation Tax, start-up funding, National Insurance and fuel.

But, for hospitality businesses, what was missing was just as crucial as what was mentioned​ - nothing on VAT and business rates and no freeze on duty on wine, cider or spirits despite the reprieve for beer.

In our special audio report we cut through the froth to see what's behind the beer duty headlines and what the details and small print really means for your business.

Will the 2013 Budget help or hinder your business? Listen to our audio report above and then vote in our special survey at the bottom of our reaction article here.​​

Audio credits: Thanks to Freesound.org users audible-edge, creek23 and Zabuhailo for the use of the car brake, cash machine and pub atmosphere sound effects.