MP Gavin: Cut beer tax to save our pubs
Politician backs Long Live the Local campaign
A lager- loving MP is challenging the Chancellor to cut tax on pub pints at the spring Budget on Wednesday.
The Renfrewshire pub trade supports almost 900 jobs and adds more than £22million to the local economy.
It has been crippled during lockdown, with landlords desperate to get back to the pumps.
Now Gavin Newlands wants Rishi Sunak to slash tax on pints to give the trade some refreshment.
The SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North has joined the Long Live the Local campaign.
He said: “Pubs are at the heart of communities across Renfrewshire, but with pubs bearing a disproportionate burden as a result of the pandemic, the government should consider a cut to beer tax.
“I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax at this year’s Budget to support pubs in our local communities.”
Pub-going Gavin’s locals were the Victoria Bar and the Burgh Bar in Renfrew, where he also played for the darts team.
But a house move and lockdown has left him still on the lookout for a new roost.
Nearly 500 of the 43-year-old’s constituents have already taken the pledge, among 503,000 people in the UK.
Chancellor Sunak will deliver his Budget on Wednesday.
The pandemic has had a devastating impact on brewers and pubs.
Last year, beer sales in pubs plunged 56 per cent, which amounts to £7.8billion in lost sales.
Mr Newlands added: “The sector needs an immediate boost and the fact that seven in ten alcoholic drinks served in pubs are beer underlines how directly a cut in beer duty can help pubs.
“Brewing and pubs in Paisley and Renfrewshire North supports 896 jobs and contributes £22.7m to the local economy.
“With £1 in every £3 spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers pay more in beer duty each year than those in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland combined.”
D av i d C u n n i n g ham, programme director of Long Live the Local, said UK beer duty had increased 60 per cent in the past 17 years.
He added: “We are very grateful to Gavin Newlands for his support for the Long Live the Local campaign.”
To back your boozer, visit www. longlivethelocal.pub
I’m calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax at this year’s Budget to support pubs in our communities