CAMRA backs 5% VAT

26-May-2011 - Last updated on 20-Jun-2013 at 14:43 GMT

Thrive on 5%: support grows

The Campaign for Real Ale has put its weight behind Thrive on Five, the PMA's campaign to get VAT reduced to 5%.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has put its weight behind Thrive on Five, the Publican's Morning Advertiser campaign to get VAT reduced to 5%.

The consumer organisation, which is recognised as one of the most influential lobbying groups in Europe, believes a VAT cut would benefit both pubs and consumers.

CAMRA's head of policy and public affairs, Jonathan Mail, issued his support for the initiative.

"It would be great for employment, it would lead to a cultural shift with more people going out and it would help build communities. It would also help bring tourists into the country. It is a win-win proposal.

"I think pubs would clearly benefit and this campaign for a VAT cut has an added benefit of dealing with the gap between alcohol prices in pubs and supermarkets. Licensees and CAMRA members need to go along to their MPs to discuss the issue."

Last Week, the Publican's Morning Advertiser group editor The PMA Team urged the industry to take action by booking a meeting with their local MP to put forward the case for a VAT cut.

Growing support

Industry leaders and licensees have already started to campaign for the cut.

Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars founder Tim Bird said: "I am now busy lobbying my MP regarding lowering VAT for the pub business. My MP is George Osborne."

Support is growing as the Publican's Morning Advertiser has been inundated with requests for briefing packs on the beneficial effects of lower VAT in France, which was introduced in July 2009.

The evidence is provided by Jacques Borel, the influential French leisure entrepreneur and lobbyist, who successfully lobbied for a 5.5% VAT for the hospitality sector in France.

He believes the UK could have a targeted VAT cut by April 2014 and predicts that between 140,000 and 320,000 jobs would be created in the UK hospitality sector.

A Thrive on Five group on Facebook now boasts more than 830 members supporting the campaign. Go to Facebook and join the debate.

• Email Ewan.Turney@wrbm.come for a copy of the briefing pack on the beneficial effects of lower VAT.