Government plans to introduce compulsory training for all bar staff will kill the traditional student labour market, says brewery boss Jonathan Neame.

Mr Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, said a new code of practice was likely to cost the industry an extra £200million, or around £1,000 a pub.

The code would make training for all bar staff compulsory. But Mr Neame warned that this would “kill off instantly” the casual labour maket.

Many young people supplemented their income by working in their local pub.

“Overnight, in my view, it will completely kill that market which cannot be sensible when people, particularly young people, will be looking for ways of getting on the job ladder.”

Related story: Beer is drowning in red tape>>>