Kate Kniveton MP has today pledged support for the Long Live the Local campaign to help pubs and breweries in Burton and Uttoxeter recover and thrive. Kate Kniveton joins over 170,000 members of the public who have signed the petition so far, including 459 residents in Burton and Uttoxeter, the capital of British brewing.
Kate Kniveton MP is calling on the Government to take action to reduce the burden of taxation on brewers and pubs. Businesses still recovering from the pandemic have been thrown headfirst into an international energy crisis which, combined with ongoing global inflationary pressures across supply chains, is having a devastating impact on brewers and pubs in communities throughout the UK.
Pubs and breweries in Burton and Uttoxeter support 4757 jobs and contribute £174.8m to the local economy. With one in every three pounds spent in UK pubs going directly to the Treasury, British drinkers and pub goers are some of the most taxed in Europe, and this is hampering the recovery of our cherished locals and Britain’s brewers.
Commenting on the campaign, Kate Kniveton MP said:
“Burton is the capital of British brewing and pubs are at the heart of communities across Burton and Uttoxeter, throughout the pandemic they demonstrated great resilience and innovation. However, the aftershock of the pandemic, combined with the global rises in energy prices and cost of living concerns, mean many pubs and breweries remain at risk. Speaking with brewery leaders and publicans locally as often as I do, I know all too well the difficulties they have faced and the current challenges facing them at the present time.
“The Budget is now three weeks away and myself and many of my colleagues are supporting the Long Live the Local campaign, calling on the Chancellor to consider reducing the burden of taxation on pubs and brewers. We have written to the Chancellor stating our case and will continue to use these last few weeks to proactively make the case to him to back our pubs and the British brewing sector.”
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said:
“The Long Live the Local Campaign not only celebrates the important role pubs play in Britain but also seeks to remind people that we cannot take them for granted. That is why we are calling on the Government to invest in pubs and breweries through the reform of the unfair tax burden - specifically lower VAT & Business Rates for pubs and extending the freeze on beer duty. This will help pubs and brewers thrive in coming years.
“In turn, this growth will create more connected and vibrant communities, local investment and vital employment and ensures our rich pub and brewing heritage continues for future generations to enjoy.
“We are very grateful to Kate Kniveton MP for supporting the Long Live the Local campaign, and hope that the Government listens to MPs across Parliament and the thousands of people across the country who are calling on the Chancellor to help brewers and pubs.”
