Cut beer tax to save pubs

Brexit ‘is ideal chance to act’

CAMPAIGNERS are demanding an urgent cut in beer tax as new figures show 14 pubs are closing each week.

The Campaign for Real Ale wants the Government to set a new duty rate on beer post-Brexit.

Camra figures show the rate of pub closures has fallen from 18 to 14 per week. A total of 378 shut between July and December last year, compared to 476 in the previous six months.

But beer lovers say our bars are still hammered by high rates of duty, crippling business rates and VAT. Beer duty in the UK is the third highest in Europe at 54p a pint. As the UK prepares to leave the EU, Camra says ministers have a “once in a generation” opportunity” to slash duty in pubs – creating a level playing field with off licences and supermarkets.

It also wants a full review of the business rates system to fix the “unfair” amount paid by pub owners. Camra boss Jackie Parker said: “A lower beer duty rate for pubs could be an absolute gamechanger in keeping our pubs open as well as encouraging responsible drinking in a social setting.”

The latest regional breakdown of pub closures shows 63 vanished in the South East, 59 in the North West, 53 in Yorkshire and the Humber, 43 in the South West and 25 in the West Midlands.

Camra says closures have dropped since it won legal protection from developers for pubs.

Ms Parker added: “Politicians should show they are squarely behind pubs, which are an important part of our national culture and valuable community assets.”