PRIME Minister Theresa May's U-turn on Chancellor Philip Hammond's one per cent increase on NI for the self-employed has turned the budget into a winner for the pub industry, according to a Bolton licensee.

Bolton ex-maths teacher turned publican Darryl Leech, who originally marked Hammond's budget a D for doing nothing for entrepreneurs, has upgraded the budget to an A thanks to the PM's u-turn .

Darryl, 44, who runs Bunbury's in Chorley Old Road, with his wife Sarah, said: "I'd originally given Hammond a D as it was giving with one hand and taking with the other, but Mrs May has listened to the people and made a right decision that sees the budget upgraded to an A in my marks.

"It's not quite an A star, but it's a big improvement. The business rate rebate of £1,000 makes no difference to us as we get 100 per cent discount on our business rates.

"The self-employed are being brought more in line with the employed, so that won't be encouraging entrepreneurs to branch out on their own. But the one per cent increase not happening is an improvement for those looking into self employment.

"People trying to do something different and make their own way and possibly make jobs for others were not being encouraged to improve on their lives through self-employment, but the change of mind on the NI increase is a step in the right direction.

"I feared it was the start of a trend with one per cent this year, one per cent next year and the year after and that made it not a very worthwhile fiscal budget in my books, but the change of heart has to be welcomed."

Michael Hughes, of nationwide pub experts MJD Hughes Commercial Property Specialists, said: "Any benefit to the ailing pub industry has got to be good news and will hopefully slow down the closure of pubs nationwide.

"The business rate break in the budget for pubs of £1,000 was virtually taken away with the other increases, so this is a sensible move by the Prime Minister that makes more sense for the pub industry."