Leaving the EU gives us the chance to find new ways to support pubs

DID you know that we British pay nearly 40% of all beer duty in the European Union but only consume about 12% of the beer? writes Neville Grundy.

It’s no wonder that 18 pubs are being lost each week in the UK, according to fresh data.

Camra has responded to these new findings by calling for a new deal for pubs, which urgently need action to cut the tax burden imposed by successive governments.

Pubs are being hit hard by a triple whammy of one of the highest rates of beer duty in Europe, rapidly rising business rates, and VAT.

A third of the cost of a pub pint is now made up of various taxes.

While temporary business rate relief and a beer duty freeze have been welcome, Camra is calling on the Gov- ernment to implement a fundamental review of the tax system.

Britain’s departure from the EU provides new opportunities to support pubs, such as the potential for lower rates of tax for draught beer sold in pubs.

Colin Valentine, Camra’s national chair, said: “Pubs are now facing a crippling tax burden, exacerbated by the perfect storm of the last business rates revaluation and a high level of beer duty.

“From these new pub closure figures, it is clear that a fundamental change is needed if the British pub is to survive for future generations.

“As Britain prepares to leave the European Union, the Government has a unique opportunity to update the tax system to give better support to pubs, which are a bastion of British culture and at the heart of communities country.

“We can now look further afield for a new tax deal for the sector.

“This could include implementing the Australian model of having a lower rate of duty for beer sold in pubs, radically changing the business rates system, or charging a lower rate of VAT for pubs or, even better, all three.

“Millions of dedicated pub-goers are looking to the Government to act now to secure the future of the great British pub.

“We’re now challenging the Government to be the most pro-pub in history by seizing this opportunity.”

The Southport and West Lancs Camra website is at: www.southport.Camra.org. uk.

For a selection of previous Camra articles in this paper, go to: tinyurl.com/vis-pubs. across the