‘Long Live the Local’ celebrates British pubs and reminds everyone how vital the local is to our communities, culture and national identity. Pubs are under a range of increasing tax pressures and every day 3 pubs close their doors for good. The campaign encourages people to sign a petition and write to their MP to ask for a cut in Beer Tax. Together we can keep our pubs open and thriving.
Increasing pressures
Pubs are faced with the challenge of rising tax burdens. Today, 1 in every 3 pounds spent in pubs goes to the taxman.
David Cunningham, one of the campaign group’s directors, explains “The punitive beer tax, in conjunction with the other tax pressures from VAT and increasing business rates, are without doubt the biggest challenges facing the pub and beer industry right now. Between 2008 and 2013, the industry experienced the devastating impact of a five year escalator policy on beer duty.”
Why cut Beer Duty?
Britain is already faced with the one of the highest Beer Duty rates in Europe – it is three times higher than the EU average and 12 times higher that some countries. In addition, Beer Duty is now linked to RPI and that means it’s likely that Beer Duty will increase by at least 3% at the next Budget and every year for the foreseeable future.
Not only are pubs the heart of communities across Britain, 900,000 people in the UK are reliant on the pub, brewing and other related industries for work. As a result this adds £23 billion to the economy and contributes £13 billion in taxation. This campaign will remind politicians of the economic – as well as the cultural importance of the local pub and wider brewing industry.
Get involved
Please join us to help keep our beloved British pubs open. Visit the ‘Long Live the Local’ official website for more information and sign the petition to cut Beer Duty here