Thanks for contacting me about the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the beer duty.
Pubs play a crucial role in the social and economic life of our nation. As a key part of the Government’s long-term economic plan, the pub sector is being supported in a range of ways.
Through the Asset of Community Value scheme, communities can list facilities of local importance, such as pubs. This means that if a pub owner wishes to sell, the community has six months to come up with a plan and funding in order to try to save it. I am glad that more than 800 pubs have been listed in this way.
New measures will also ensure that tied pubs are given new rights under a statutory code with an independent adjudicator to resolve disputes. Many pubs have also benefited from the Government’s package on business rates for small businesses.
I welcome that tax on a typical pint of beer will be cut by 1p and that the beer duty escalator has been removed. The average pint of beer is 8p cheaper as a result...
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