70% against beer tax increase

Over 70% of the UK population are opposed to plans to increase tax on beer in the Budget, according to a ComRes poll.

The poll, carried out on behalf of the Axe the Tax campaign, showed that eight out of ten people believe that community spirit and values are under threat in Britain and that the pub and a pint of beer are important symbols of the way of British life.

The poll also revealed that 76% believe the Government is not doing enough to support elements of the local community.

The results are published as MPs in the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group are set to meet five Government ministers to discuss the rate of pub closures — now up to six every day.

A total of 155 MPs — including 74 Labour and 47 Liberal Democrats — have now signed a parliamentary motion (EDM10) calling on Government to axe plans to increase beer tax in the Budget and to take measures to support local pubs.

The Axe the Tax campaign, run by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), now has 25,000 individual supporters.

"The British public is deeply concerned about the decline of local communities, and the rapid closure of pubs is an important part of that," said BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward.

"The British beer and pub industry supports 650,000 jobs and makes a vital contribution to the British economy. Yet it has been hit by a succession of tax increases alongside more and more regulation. Nearly six pubs are closing every day across the country, and thousands of jobs are being lost.

"Overwhelmingly, the public agrees that given the present economic circumstances the Government would be wrong to continue with its plans to increase beer tax further in this April's Budget, and we urge Ministers to listen to the public."

Camra chief executive Mike Benner added: "This time last year, the Government announced its plans to increase beer tax but the economic circumstances have changed beyond recognition in that time. It is time for the Government to think again in order to save the Great British Pub."