PUB landlords have voiced their fears for the trade if a rise in beer duty is announced in tomorrow’s budget as expected.

The price of a pint will go up by between 5p and 10p if a duty increase of 7.2 per cent is implemented.

Industry groups have warned that the move will lead to hundreds of pubs being closed down nationally.

Mark Richardson, landlord of the Rat Trap, in Stratton, said: “It’s absolutely appalling.

“The Government just don’t seem to care about the working class man.

“They care more about their own pension plans than they do about people who are trying to contribute something to the country.

“It says it all that they enjoy a heavily subsidised bar at the House of Commons while we are being taxed to the hilt.”

The increase on alcohol duty, set to be announced by Chancellor George Osborne, is being introduced under the duty escalator announced in 2008 by the previous Government.

Beer tax hikes are set to reach 42 per cent since the budget that year.

Mr Richardson said: “It’s another kick in the teeth that will reduce the amount people drink and the amount they go out, especially at a time when the costs of living are going up generally through VAT, food, heating and petrol. Pubs have already been shutting down and it will continue to happen.

“There are only so many hours you can put in and so much you can do to make people come in.

“It’s a real labour of love and there is not much financial reward as it is.”

Ross Morgan, landlord at the Fox and Hounds, in Wroughton, and the Crown, in Stratton, also condemned the move.

“It’s the tax on the working man,” he said. “The Government raises the price of petrol, fags and booze because they know we are still going to buy them.

“The rises will take place again and again and it will only serve to close more pubs and kill the trade. It’s not the brightest thing to do.

“The Government doesn’t seem to be able to look elsewhere and raising duty on alcohol is the easiest thing to do.

“There are other countries in Europe which don’t do this and they have a thriving trade.”

The British Beer and Pub Association yesterday called for a freeze in beer tax in the budget, saying a boost was needed for an industry which provides one million jobs.

The organisation cited a survey showing 54 per cent of the public supported the freeze.