Local Member of Parliament Craig Tracey has pledged his support for a Campaign to help pubs in North Warwickshire and Bedworth keep their doors open. Craig joined the more than 100,000 people who have signed the petition so far, including 162 in our local community.
The North Warwickshire and Bedworth MP is calling on the Government to cut beer tax ahead of the Budget. With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers now pay 40% of all beer tax across the EU, but drink only 12% of the beer. Brewing and pubs in North Warwickshire supports 1569 jobs and contributes £48.5m to the local economy.
Commenting on the campaign, Craig Tracey MP said:
“There is a perfect storm of costs surrounding pubs – tax, rates, rents, staff costs, the off trade to name a few. With three British pubs closing their doors for good every day I have asked the Government should consider a cut to beer tax. Pubs are at the heart of our local communities across North Warwickshire and Bedworth. We have 85 pubs in our community, supporting 1569 jobs. I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax at this year’s Budget to support pubs in our local communities.”
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said:
“Beer duty has increased by 60% over the last 17 years and now the UK has one of the highest rates of tax in Europe. When over two thirds of all alcoholic drinks purchased in the pub are beers, a cut in beer tax would go a long way to protecting pubs across North Warwickshire and Bedworth. We are very grateful to Craig Tracey for their support for the Long Live the Local campaign, and hope that the Government listens to MPs across Parliament and the thousands of people across the country who are calling for a cut in beer tax to protect our pubs.”