CAMRA: 'Duty cut would add £70m to economy'
On Wednesday 30 October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her first Budget since taking on the role, and around 145,000 members of the consumer organiser have called on the Government to take action to support pubs and brewers.
Joining forces with the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), CAMRA has sent what it described as “ground-breaking new economic modelling” directly to the Treasury showing the transformation a UK wide cut in duty charged on beer and cider served in pubs could bring.
Heart of communities
The organisation claimed a 20% discount for tax on pints in pubs would create “thousands of new jobs” and contribute £70m to the economy, as consumers would be encouraged to move away from supermarket alcohol to supporting their local pubs and social clubs.
In addition, the industry leaders urged the Chancellor to implement business rates reformation, a Labour manifesto pledge, adding the current system “unfairly penalises” pubs and other bricks-and-mortar businesses.
It follows figures from the PwC last week that revealed more than two pub chains closed per day in the first half of this year alone, attributed to cost and demand pressures.
CAMRA vice chair Ash Corbett-Collins said: “Pubs are the beating heart of communities, but they’re being crushed by an unfair system that favours online giants and multinational brewing conglomerates.
Meaningful reform
“We want the Chancellor to understand the range of measures we’re calling for aren’t just about supporting the long-term future of the industry – this is also about local jobs, encouraging investment, and ensuring that communities have a space to come together.
“Cutting the rate of tax on pints across the UK, and meaningful reform of the business rates system in England will make all the difference to both consumers and the trade.
“I’d urge anyone who values their local pubs and independent breweries and cider producers to get involved and let the new Government know just how much we need support in the Budget.”
To help bolster support, the campaign has called on consumers and those working in the trade to use their simple online tool to contact their MPs ahead of the Budget, which can be found here.
