Recently I have
received a number of correspondence from constituents asking if I would speak
in support of British pubs in Parliament.
Specifically, they asked if I would support reforms to the business rates
system to address the unfair tax burden on pubs, a preferential rate of duty
for draught beer and a review of the Pubs Code.
As Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Beer Group, I see it as both a duty and a
privilege to be able to speak up regularly for pubs and breweries across the
UK, including St Austell Brewery, an important local business and jobs creator.
In October I wrote to the Chancellor urging him to announce a review of Small
Brewers Relief in the Budget in order to make the system fairer, encourage
growth at all stages of a brewer’s business development, boost exports and
provide better value for money for the taxpayer while saving the British pint
as we know it.
I am glad that the Chancellor announced that he will be freezing beer, cider
and spirits duty for another year, supporting patrons of the Great British Pub
and saving people 2p on a pint of beer and 30p on a bottle of Scotch or gin.
I agree that the current businesses rates system is out of date and is
particularly unfair to pub. I have been pressing the Government to reform
business rates since I was elected in 2015. I will continue to do so and work
to provide a fair system for pubs.
And I am delighted to inform my constituents that I will continue to champion
the Great British pubs in Parliament by seeking to bring the issues they raised
to the attention of relevant ministers.
