The Government has a duty to assist

The beer duty escalator is now a distant — but very much not forgotten — memory, and we are enjoying the positive impact of two successive beer duty cuts in 2013 and 2014, which has led to the growth of Britain’s breweries and confidence in the pub sector.

Beer duty is now 13% lower than it would have been under the tax rises previously planned, leading to an additional 16,000 jobs and, in the first six months following the 2014 Budget, an extra £44m in investment.

Many eagle-eyed readers will notice that the figures above are taken from Early Day Motion (EDM) 625, which was tabled by Andrew Griffiths MP at the end of last year. The motion is a great way of seeing whether your local MP is behind you and your business (my MP has not yet signed... I’m sure that’s worth a phone call or quick email). But, although there are a positive 100 signatures on the EDM, is that all we can expect to gain from our ‘supportive MPs’?

With two positive budgets under our belt and a potential third on its way and the cost of oil at an all-time low, one could wonder why we are asking for more? Surely we must now be in great shape to give our businesses a boost of financial injection and maybe that refurbishment we have been putting off for so long? Are we just moaning for the sake of it? I think not.

As a living, working publican, any help is welcomed and encouraged from the Government, even though my cynical side still believes the shortfall will be made up elsewhere and it will still be pulled from my wallet or till in a different guise within a matter of time.

The Government has a duty to assist one of the biggest industries in the country and help make it succeed and prosper once again. We need more investment in training and employment as well as encouragement that we are doing a great job and keeping the country moving forward in what I still feel are difficult times.

With a general election looming and politicians wishing to be the pub industry’s ‘friends’, I’m sure the Budget will be a pleasant one for our industry. Let’s just hope the Chancellor remembers the old saying “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you... ”

Ashley McCarthy is licensee of Ye Old Sun Inn in Colton, North Yorkshire​​