Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, has called for an end to annual increases in beer duty. In a speech on the Budget resolutions to the House of Commons, he spoke about this year’s increase of 10p a pint which, he said, had left local brewers in Dorset “aghast”.
“Why do we go on punishing this industry, year in, year out?” said Drax. “Is it to discourage drinking? If it is, there is no logic in punishing publicans who serve, in the main, law-abiding citizens in a safe environment. The lager louts get their beer from cheaper sources, not least the supermarkets.”
“The only other reason for this annual tax raid is to fill the Treasury’s coffers. And this, from a Government, which wants to encourage the private sector. Let us stop targeting the brewers, remove the escalator and allow a vital UK business to survive.”
In addition, said Drax, “Pubs have to pay VAT on food while supermarkets, which sell prepared meals – often full of salt and preservatives – do not. This inequity is crippling the pub business. On the continent, VAT has been reduced on eating out – what an excellent idea and incentive.”