The media gets it; now it's the government's turn

It's been a while coming but the mainstream media appears to be seriously waking up to the issues bedevilling the UK's pub trade.

More and more column inches are being devoted to highlighting the plight of the nation's boozers. When you've got someone like boxer Ricky Hatton penning his thoughts on the tax regime as it impacts the UK's alcohol industry you know the point is at last being made on a wider stage. This is no bad thing.

True, thanks to the credit crunch not everyone can afford to visit their local as often as they might like. But most are now aware of the issues that affect such a vital cultural, social and economic asset in their community.

It's about time the government woke up to this. Glad-handing President Obama recently Gordon Brown had as much of an eye on the British electorate as on solving the global financial crisis we've been sucked into.

The Prime Minister is doubtless worried about his prospects for re-election — as well he might be — and hopes his playing the international statesman card will give him a boost. I think he may be disappointed.

But in the meantime the current administration could do itself and the rest of us a few favours, first by targeting more help for smaller UK businesses — including pubs — for whom access to funding is said to be still a serious issue.

And by Jiminy it can bloomin' well address the alcohol duty situation too.

I expect it's already spent this year's proposed increase — on bailing out the banks, no doubt — and will probably pay scant heed to the thousands of licensees up and down the country who are looking to the next Budget for some respite in the form of a zero duty increase.

But respite there should be. Over to you, Darling.