MPs meeting today to debate ‘Taxation of the beer and pub sector’ are being urged to help ease the ‘triple whammy’ of costs facing pubs.
Ahead of the debate, CAMRA had asked its 190,000 members to email and write to their MPs to encourage them to take part. It is hoped the debate will send a message to chancellor Philip Hammond about the effect that rising taxation, rate increases and an end to rate relief is having on the nation’s pubs.
CAMRA says a feared 2p-per-pint duty rise in November’s budget could put some pubs out of business.
‘The debate today is crucial to highlight the issues the pub sector faces and MPs have to realise they need to call on the chancellor to start showing more support for this vital British industry,’ said Colin Valentine, CAMRA’s national chairman.
‘The beer and pub sector is already overburdened by tax, specifically business rates and beer duty - with tax making up a third of the price of a pint in a pub. Customers now find the price of beer less affordable, which means decreased sales and the likelihood of more boarded-up pubs.
‘Time and time again independent research has shown how vital the pub and brewing sector is to the country as a whole - it’s time MPs listen to beer drinkers and pub goers in their constituency, and demand the chancellor takes notice.’
CAMRA is also calling for a £5,000 per pub business-rate discount to be introduced.
The beer and pub industry employs around 900,000 people and contributes more than £23bn to the economy.
