New poll shows public are backing local pubs

2nd March 2009, 8:00am

Most people believe the Government should do more to support local communities, including pubs, with 70% opposing plans to increase beer tax in the forthcoming Budget, according to an opinion poll published today.

The survey, carried out by ComRes, also shows that more than eight out of 10 people believe that community spirit and values are under threat in Britain today, and that the local pub and a pint of beer are important symbols of the British way of life.

The results are published at the start of a week when MPs are due to meet five Ministers to raise their concerns about the about the increasing rate of pub closures – running at nearly six a day - and the threat of 75,000 job losses in the beer and pub industry.

A large number of MPs are expected to quiz Ministers at a meeting in Parliament on Wednesday 4 March organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group

155 MPs – including 74 Labour and 47 Liberal Democrats - have now signed a parliamentary motion (EDM10) calling on Government to axe plans to increase beer tax in the Budget and to take measures to support local pubs.

The headline results of the poll, carried out by ComRes between 20th and 22nd February 2009, are:

- 83% say community spirit and values under threat - and 54% say they are less evident than 10 years ago;

- 76% say Government does not do enough to support elements of local communities;

- 63% believe that the local pub is an important element of local communities – while six in ten people say a pint of beer and local pubs are symbols of the British way of life.

- 70% say increase in beer tax above inflation in current circumstances is unjustified.

The 'Axe the Beer Tax, Save the Pub' campaign (www.axethebeertax.com) was launched by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in November last year.

It is supported by a range of organisations across the industry, including the Unite trade union, and already has 25,000 individual supporters.

Rob Hayward, Chief Executive of the BBPA, said: "These results confirm what we have long believed. The British public is deeply concerned about the decline of local communities, and the rapid closure of pubs is an important part of that.

"The British beer and pub industry supports 650,000 jobs and makes a vital contribution to the British economy. Yet it has been hit by a succession of tax increases alongside more and more regulation. Nearly six pubs are closing every day across the country, and thousands of jobs are being lost.

"Overwhelmingly, the public agrees that given the present economic circumstances the Government would be wrong to continue with its plans to increase beer tax further in this April's Budget, and we urge Ministers to listen to the public."

Mike Benner, Chief Executive of CAMRA, said: "Our campaign has been gaining momentum day by day. More than 25,000 people have signed up and 12,000 have lobbied their MP to express their concern about the decline of the British beer and pub industry. More than 150 MPs have also joined our call for the planned beer tax increase this April to be axed, and many of them will be putting their views directly to Ministers this week.

"This time last year, the Government announced its plans to increase beer tax but the economic circumstances have changed beyond recognition in that time. It is time for the Government to think again in order to save the Great British Pub."

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• 15 Apr 2009 - MPS oppose beer tax rise
• 13 Apr 2009 - 'We will not punish those who drink responsibly'
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• 10 Mar 2009 - BBPA chief steps down after 10 years
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• 26 Feb 2009 - Tories want to save the great British pub
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• 27 Jan 2009 - Beer sales down by 8.3%
• 20 Nov 2008 - One in eight pubs to close by 2012
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• 19 Sep 2008 - BBPA chief hits back at sweeping generalisations

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