A PUB landlord said he may have to cut staff hours following the autumn Budget announcement.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Budget on Wednesday (October 30), announcing a number of measures including raising employer's national insurance contributions, increasing the minimum wage, and a cut in draught duty by 1.7 per cent - reducing the price of a pint by 1p.

Landlord of The King's Head pub in Worcester, Matt Collins, called the announcement "absolutely negative".

Mr Collins said: "It isn't positive from a business point of view - I don't understand how they think this will work.

"I'm already considering the possibility of cutting staff hours just to save some money."

On the cut in beer duty, Mr Collins said: "That means nothing to us really, it's just 1p.

"Draught is our biggest seller and that's ultimately what pays the staff.

"So either I have to sell the same volume for more money per pint, or sell twice as much but make it cheaper - which could bring other types of problems."

The chancellor announced that the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 per hour next April.

Mr Collins added: "It's great that workers are getting an increase in minimum wage, but eventually they will be paying more for everything."

Owner of Bottles Wine Bar & Shop in Worcester, Joanna Crum, said: "The news is fantastic for those on minimum wage.

"But for us as business owners, everything is going up and we're getting no support."

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"They raised the minimum wage last year and we adjusted our prices accordingly and now we may have to do the same next year which affects customers.

"Eventually we will see more independent businesses closing."

Andy Goodall, landlord of the Rose & Crown pub in Severn Stoke, near Worcester, said: "There's no doubt the rise in minimum wage, along with increasing employer national insurance contributions, will put extra stress on our already fragile hospitality sector.

"This budget has again had a disproportionate effect on hospitality businesses and we will be facing tough choices over the next year with those who are left having to cut staff hours and raise prices, leaving little or no room for investment."