MPS back Jodie’s Beer Duty cut bid

TOP MODEL AND LANDLADY LEADING CALLS FOR SUPPORT

MPS are supporting supermodel and landlady Jodie Kidd’s fight to get the Government to cut Beer Duty to support struggling pubs forced to closed again during lockdown.

The model, best known for her time on the catwalk, also owns The Half Moon pub in Kirdford, West Sussex. She first started petitioning the Government for a cut in Beer Duty in 2018, when on average, three pubs a day closed their doors for good.

Despite three long years of campaigning with pressure group Long Live The Local, almost 500,000 petition signatures and more than 250,000 people writing to their MP, the Government is yet to reduce duty on a pint, which is three times higher in the UK, at 54p on every pint, than the average across the EU and 11 times higher than in Germany and Spain.

Burton MP Kate Griffiths, Lichfield’s Michael Fabricant and South Derbyshire’s Heather Wheeler are backing support for pubs, saying that the hospitality sector needs something to keep it going after a very tough time due the Covid pandemic.

Conservative MP Ms Griffiths said: “Our pubs and the whole brewing industry have had an incredibly tough year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I know many of the support measures introduced by the Government over the past 12 months such as the cut to VAT, financial grants and the furlough scheme have been a lifeline to our pubs and jobs in the hospitality industry.

“As MP for the brewing capital of the UK, I have already been lobbying the Chancellor at every possible opportunity ahead of the Budget to back our pubs and to go further in his support of this British institution so they are able to turbo-charge our recovery.

“I and many of my Parliamentary colleagues have been calling on the Chancellor for a cut to Beer Duty on March 3 and I continue to do so as a firm supporter of the Long Live the Local campaign and it’s objectives.”

Fellow Conservative Mr Fabricant said: “I can totally understand why publicans would want an incentive for their businesses once they open.

“I passed on my concerns to the Treasury and senior ministers told me it was under consideration.

“We will have to wait until The Budget in March to see if these pleas will bear fruit. “Personally, I don’t think there will be an issue for pubs not having trade when they open, as I for one will be visiting my favourite pubs, with friends as soon as I am allowed to do so.”

Mrs Wheeler, Tory MP for South Derbyshire said: “I read the concerns that Jodie Kidd has and have been contacted by many constituents with connections to the brewing

industry, and people who enjoy frequenting our great local pubs too, sharing with me their worries that some of our pubs will not survive and open again after the lockdown.

“The upcoming Budget in March will make further announcements on financial support and I know that all taxes, including business rates, are kept under review.

“I have been reassured by my colleagues in the Treasury that they are aware of the calls for a VAT reduction on alcohol and a cut in duty on beer etc.

“I shall be following the developments on this issue closely, and I will ensure my colleagues at the Treasury are aware of the strength of feeling on this issue.

“As someone who moved here 35 years ago because Bob, my husband, worked for the breweries all of this is very dear to my heart. I have spoken to the Chancellor so he is fully aware of the concerns.

“Despite this, I am glad that evidence continues to be collected on the impact of the pandemic on the hospitality sector and we must look forward to the easing of restrictions as soon as possible.

“I will continue to make the case in Parliament for more direct support for our pubs so that communities do not lose them for good.”

Bruce Ray, from the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company said: “Monday marks 336 days since our vibrant industry was shut-down. We urgently need three things from the Prime Minister as we emerge from lockdown that gives us a clear plan for pints, pubs and people.

“For our pints, brewers and their supply chain, which have been affected more than most given the closure of pubs, need confirmed assurance of sustained financial support, most importantly a significant Beer Duty cut, otherwise many could be lost forever.

“For our beloved pubs, we need confirmation that they will open alongside non-essential retail, and they can do so without arbitrary restrictions. Pubs can be part of the roadmap out of lockdown, given the excellent lengths they have gone to in making their premises safe for guests.

“And finally, but most importantly, we need to protect the livelihoods of the people who make the British brewing and hospitality industry what it is – a cherished national asset that we can’t let disappear or change forever.”

I and many of my parliamentary colleagues have been calling on the Chancellor for a cut to Beer Duty.

Kate Griffiths