Budget 'a death warrant' for pubs

Published: 22 April, 2009

Chancellor Alistair Darling has signed a death warrant for thousands of struggling British pubs by raising alcohol tax by 2% in his latest Budget, it has been claimed.

Chancellor Alistair Darling's has signed a death warrant for thousands of struggling British pubs by raising alcohol tax by 2% in his latest Budget, it has been claimed.

The pub trade's largest representative body, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), has accused the Chancellor of ignoring the views of the public and industry representatives.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "Today's Budget signs the death warrant for thousands of Britain's pubs and for tens of thousands of British jobs.

"Pubs play a vital role in the economy and in local communities. Yet six are closing every day and more than 2,000 have gone in the last 12 months alone. The Chancellor's unfair and unjustified announcement today condemns thousands more to shut for good."

The Chairman of one of Britain's best know breweries also launched a broadside at Darling's Budget.

Michael Turner, Chairman of London brewer Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C., said: "We are very disappointed that the Chancellor has ignored the industry, his fellow MPs and the public at large by continuing along this Government's path of raising beer duty, regardless of the facts.

"The Chancellor already makes 50 times as much out of each pint sold as the Brewer does and this further increase cannot be justified," he said.

A massive lobbying campaign, spearheaded by the British Beer and Pub Association and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), fell on deaf ears as the Chancellor raised taxes to generate public spending revenue.

Some 59% of MPs on a cross-party basis had registered their opposition to any further increases on alcohol tax.

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