Over 100 MPs back the great British pub

10th February 2009, 11:36am

More than 100 MPs are calling on the Government to axe plans to increase beer tax in this year's Budget to help save pubs across the country.

It comes as a result of a grassroots effort in which more than 10,000 people have lobbied their MP, in just eight weeks, over their concerns about pub closures and falling beer sales.

The British Beer and Pub Association will be meeting with the chancellor Alistair Darling towards the end of February to put forward its opposition to further tax hikes.

The 'Axe the Beer Tax – Save the Pub' campaign was launched by industry and consumer groups in late November last year.

Since then, 20,000 people have signed up as supporters and 113 MPs, 50 Labour, 40 Lib Dem and 17 Conservative have signed up to support the campaign.

Sales of beer are now at their lowest levels in almost 40 years with latest figures showing a 9% decline during last year alone.

Nearly six pubs across the country are closing every day, and thousands of jobs are being lost.

And the situation has been aggravated by a series of duty rises, including the 8% increase in the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report last November. Coming on top of the 6% plus inflation rise in the March 2008 budget, tax on beer increased by 18% last year alone.

Despite this, the Government now plans to increase duty even further this April and the following three years by 2% above inflation each year.

Today, a third of the price of a pint of beer goes to the Treasury – and under current plans tax will increase by a staggering 40% between 2008 and 2011.

Rob Hayward, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said: "The beer and pub industry is not looking for special favours. But at a time when the rest of the British economy is receiving tax breaks and public subsidies, the Government's planned tax hikes on beer are both unfair and unsustainable.

"Pubs are a vital part of communities up and down the country and play a vital role in the British way of life. Yet nearly six pubs are closing every day. The thousands of people who have lobbied their MP over the last few weeks is a clear demonstration of the deep concern and anger felt among landlords, customers and the wider public at what is happening."

Mike Benner, Chief Executive of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, added: "At a time when pubs are suffering from the wider recession, the Chancellor's tax plans will be a hammer blow to consumers and industry alike. Our campaign will increase in intensity in the run-up to the Budget to ensure that the Government hears our message about saving the Great British Pub loud and clear."

Weblink: www.axethebeertax.com

Related Articles:

• 28 Apr 2009 - Beer sales continue to slide
• 22 Apr 2009 - Industry react angrily to the Budget
• 08 Apr 2009 - Tax rises will result in pub job losses
• 31 Mar 2009 - Sun advert launches 'Text the Chancellor' campaign
• 18 Mar 2009 - New figures show 3.2% fall in alcohol consumption
• 17 Mar 2009 - Drinks industry leaders meet with the Chancellor
• 16 Mar 2009 - Minimum alcohol price plans to be unveiled
• 13 Mar 2009 - Taxation on pubs has gone too far, says Wetherspoon
• 12 Mar 2009 - 30,000 people support local pubs
• 06 Mar 2009 - Closed pubs don't pay tax
• 02 Mar 2009 - New poll shows public are backing local pubs
• 26 Feb 2009 - Tories want to save the great British pub

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