An MP has launched a petition condemning the "ill-judged" duty hike on alcohol that will lead to pub closures.
Greg Mulholland's Early Day Motion (EDM), a petition for MPs, "condemns" the Budget duty increases on alcohol.
"This was a very ill-judged move at a time when the beer and pub trade is facing such a difficult period and will lead to the closure of many pubs up and down the country," it says.
In reference to the MA's exclusive interview with licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe, the EDM "recognises that even the minister with responsibility for licensing has criticised these plans and thinks that the Chancellor should reconsider."
It notes latest estimates that 8,000 pubs will shut due to the duty hike over the next 10 years, "involving not only the loss of community amenities but also significant job losses".
The EDM "recognises that these plans are clearly an attempt to raise revenue and not only will not tackle binge drinking, but because of the effect on the industry will not raise anything like the amount intended".
It "further believes that community pubs provide a controlled environment for responsible drinking so their loss is a further blow to trying to encourage responsible alcohol consumption".
The EDM "calls upon the Chancellor to realise his grave mistake, reverse the increase on beer duty and accept a freeze upon it until such time as the industry recovers, and provide support to the great British pub instead of contributing to its demise."
Mulholland is an All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group member and Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West.
Picture: Greg Mulholland (right) with MA editor Andrew Pring.