New Prime Minister must support pubs, says BBPA
The letter urges any new leader to rebalance the UK’s alcohol duty system to support UK pubs and brewers and reduce the disproportionate tax burden on the hospitality sector.
It also asks for the energy price cap to be extended to small businesses and supply to join residential and commercial properties.
Stifled recovery
BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said the sector had showed its grit and innovation during the pandemic, and yet the recovery of the sector was being stifled by tax burdens, staffing shortages and inflation.
The sector was of huge economic value to the UK, and sits at the heart of communities, according to McClarkin. She said it was “crucial” hospitality got further support to help it recover and return to sustainable growth.
As the sector emerges from the pandemic it continues to face major obstacles that threaten some of the 900,000 jobs pubs and brewing provide across the country.
Helping pubs thrive
The recent jump in energy prices has also seen pub energy bills rise by as much as 150%, leading only one in three businesses to be profitable in recent months.
Alongside this, record inflation, labour shortages and the disproportionately high tax burden placed upon UK beer and pubs threaten the recovery of the industry, after Oxford Economics researched showed 800 pubs closed for good during the pandemic.
McClarkin said: “I urge whoever the new Prime Minister is, to follow measures outlined in this manifesto and help pubs and brewers to thrive in coming years. Doing so will create more connected and vibrant communities, support jobs and drive local economic growth in every part of the United Kingdom.”
