Cutting duty and the price of a pint will boost fortunes
THE Campaign for Real Ale is calling on the Government to cut tax on pints served in pubs to boost jobs and spending, following a recent survey which has found that 42% of people are visiting the pub less often than they did before lockdown.
The survey conducted by CAMRA between July 20 and August 3 of nearly 4,000 CAMRA members and pub-goers demonstrates that fewer people are supporting their local now as much as they did before lockdown.
Nearly a quarter of people haven’t returned to the pub at all, while just 3% said they were visiting pubs more often than they did previously.
CAMRA says reducing beer duty on beer served on tap in pubs and members’ clubs would provide a huge jobs boost, helping our locals to keep and employ more staff, retain and increase steady trade and support local economies. The move would also recognise the social benefits of responsible drinking in community pubs.
CAMRA’s national chair, Nik Antona, said: “These figures show that there is still a long way to go to return to pre-lockdown levels of trade.
The beer and pubs industry needs certainty and support in the long term, which is exactly why cutting tax on beer served on tap in pubs would give the sector stability, support jobs and encourage people to drink responsibly in the regulated setting of the community pub.
“A lower rate of tax on draught beer, with the savings passed onto consumers and pubs, is a tax cut that specifically helps much-loved local pubs. That’s why we are calling on the Government to cut the price of a pint in order to level the playing field between pubs and cheap supermarket alcohol, increase trade and create and sustain jobs in the long term.”
Doug Macadam, chair of CAMRA Southport & West Lancs Branch, added: “The Government may be wary of cutting beer duty because they’re unwilling to give up any revenue, especially after the massive costs of lockdown and furlough. However, they won’t receive any tax from pubs that close down because of reduced footfall post-lockdown. In fact, they will have extra costs of benefits paid to staff who lose their jobs. It makes sense to help pubs survive the pandemic.”
The most comprehensive real ale pub website is at: whatpub. com.