PUBS that screen live football will be clobbered with higher tax bills from next year.
Councils will be given powers to raise business rates on those using entertainment to boost takings.
Sky Sports is a huge draw, with bars across the UK packed when big matches are on. Valuation officers will consider this when working out how much a pub should pay.
Landlords accused PM Gordon Brown of hammering bars - while putting his £36 a month Sky Sports package on expenses. Mark Hastings, of the Beer and Pub Association, said: "The Government is strangling pubs with tax hikes. This is the last thing we need."
Pubs are closing at the rate of 52 a week, with 13,500 jobs lost in the trade this year.
The latest blow was revealed in the Commons by Local Government Minister Barbara Follett. She said Sky TV and other entertainment that may "impact on trading potential" will be taken into account by valuation officers.
Shadow communities secretary Caroline Spelman said: "I fear this TV tax will force more pubs to close. Many will have no choice but to turn off the football, rugby and cricket.
"This is the height of hypocrisy from a Prime Minister who has his Sky Sports package paid by the taxpayer."
