ALMR: Go easy on Carling Darling

Britain's pub operators have made one last plea for Chancellor Alistair Darling to reduce tax on alcohol in tomorrow's budget.

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), which represents 15,000 venues, has called on "Darling to go easy on Carling"​.

It believes now is the time to reduce duty on alcoholic drinks to help stop the widescale closure of pubs rather than simply opting for another increase.

ALMR chief executive Nick Bish said: "Everyone assumes that the Government will be increasing beer duties during tomorrow's Budget. They may well be right. ​

"But, quite simply, it's the wrong time to increase the taxes paid by Britain's pubs.

"The sector has already been hit hard by rising costs - covering everything from energy to employment.

"Many pubs are also drowning, not waving, when it comes to red tape - from Whitehall and town-halls alike. No wonder that 'closing time' has taken on a whole new meaning for so many pubs over the last year.

"The Chancellor needs instead to call time on this cocktail of ever-rising taxes and ever-increasing regulation - and tomorrow's Budget is the perfect time to start.

"It would be all too easy for the Government to increase taxes on ciders, beers and lagers - but it's a temptation that Ministers should resist.

"ALMR believes that Alistair Darling should 'go easy on the Carling' if he wants Britain's community pubs to survive.

"He needs to remember that local pubs already pay plenty of taxes - while closed ones pay none at all.

"If anything, the Treasury should be trimming drinks duties, not raising them."

The MA.co.uk will bring you all the news and reaction to the budget here tomorrow​.