Most Britons want cut or freeze in beer duty, says new YouGov poll for BBPA

The study shows that 69% of the UK adult population supports a cut or freeze in beer tax, 80% want wider taxes on pubs to be frozen or cut and 62% want to see a cut in business rates for Britain’s pubs.

The poll also reveals that almost a fifth (17%) of workers are put off going to the pub for a drink or a meal until payday because they cannot afford it.

Costs​

The BBPA, which is campaigning for at least a duty freeze in the Budget, also recently revealed that the average pub pays £33,300 in alcohol duties, £12,500 in business rates, and £122,200 in total taxes and regulatory charges – costs that must be passed on to pubgoers.

The Government cut beer duty last year, but it rose by 42% over the previous five years and remains 12 times higher than beer duty in Britain’s largest neighbour, Germany, the BBPA has argued.

As well as cutting back on visits to the pub, the public also said it holds back on big grocery shops, cuts back on ‘non-essential’ items, and eats out less in restaurants.

According to YouGov, the effects of economic upturn are only being felt by a small number of people as four out of five households don’t expect to be better off 12 months from now.

'Golden opportunity'​

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “The Chancellor has a golden opportunity in the Budget, to help hard pressed consumers by cutting, or at the very least freezing, beer duty to help pubs.

“Last year’s historic duty cut was both wise and popular. Action on beer duty would help boost the quality of life for millions of Britons who are still feeling the pinch, by protecting one of life’s simple pleasures – a great beer in your favourite pub.”