Labour MPs unite against beer duty hikes

By Ewan Turney

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Beer tax Pint glass Public house

Axe the Tax: 202 MPs on board
Axe the Tax: 202 MPs on board
Over 200 MPs have now called for the Government to scrap its planned duty hike on beer at the Budget — including 97 Labour backbenchers.

Over 200 MPs have now called for the Government to scrap its planned duty hike on beer at the Budget.

A total of 202 MPs, including 97 Labour backbenchers, have signed and Early Day Motion calling for the 2% above inflation duty escalator to be abolished. The EDM was organised in conjunction with the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and the Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) Axe the Tax campaign.

More than 70,000 members of the public have joined the campaign and 25,000 have lobbied their MP on the issue since November.

In the last 12 months 2,000 pubs have closed with the loss of 20,000 jobs. Independent research has shown that 75,000 further jobs are threatened by Government tax increases.

A third of a price of a pint of beer now gets swallowed up in tax — and duty rose by 18% over last year alone.

"The fact that more than 200 MPs have joined our campaign is testament to widespread strength that is felt across all parties regarding on the future of British pubs," said BBPA chief executive David Long.

"Beer tax was increased by 18 per cent during last year and pubs are now closing at a rate of nearly six every single day.

"Pubs are a fundamental part of our community life and the Government now needs to act to save them from extinction. A good start would be to scrap plans set out 12 months ago in brighter economic times to increase beer tax again."

Mike Benner, chief executive of CAMRA added: "At a time when everyone is feeling the pinch, the Government should listen to its own MPs and not increase beer tax above inflation in next month's budget.

"We're not calling for any handouts, just hands off any further increases in beer tax.

"The Prime Minister recently said that he didn't want responsible, moderate drinkers to pay more. Scrapping next month's beer tax would be a truly popular and effective way of turning those words into action."

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