STEWART HOSIE PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR LOCAL PUBS IN DUNDEE EAST
Stewart Hosie MP has pledged their support for the Long Live the Local campaign to help pubs and breweries in Dundee East recover and thrive. Stewart Hosie joins over 125,000 people who have signed the petition so far, including over 100 of his Dundee East constituents.
Stewart Hosie MP is calling on the Government to lower VAT & Business Rates for pubs and for an overall reduction in Beer Duty. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on brewers and pubs throughout the UK and continues to do so as the sector tries to kickstart its recovery. The sector needs an immediate boost and the fact that a local pub adds £100,000 to its local economy, creates jobs and acts as a social hub, underlines how directly investment in the form of lower VAT, Business Rates and an overall cut to beer duty can help pubs and their communities to recover. It will also boost Britain’s world class brewing sector, a homegrown manufacturing success story that brews over 80% of the beer we drink.
Brewing and pubs in Dundee East supports 769 jobs and contributes £21m to the local economy. With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers and pub goers are overtaxed and this is hampering the recovery of our cherished locals and Britain`s brewers.
Commenting on the campaign, Stewart Hosie MP said:
“I hope the Chancellor recognises as I do the social, cultural, and economical role pubs play.”
“Pubs are at the heart of many communities across Dundee East and play a massive role in the local economy, but have been bearing a disproportionate burden as a result of the pandemic. The UK Government should consider cutting unfair taxes on pubs that are hampering their recovery and the success of Scotland’s hospitality sector.”
“I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to lower VAT & Business Rates for pubs and reduce Beer Duty overall at this year’s Budget to support the recovery of pubs.”
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said:
“85% of pubs are based in community and rural areas, bringing jobs to the parts of the UK that need them most. They employ over 600,000 people, of which 43% are under 25. Cutting Business Rates, VAT and an overall reduction in Beer Duty would go a long way to helping pubs and brewers across Dundee East that are desperately trying to recover. We are very grateful to Stewart Hosie for their support for 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 lower VAT & Business Rates for pubs and reduce Beer Duty overall.”
LONG LIVE THE LOCAL CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND
Long Live the Local is a campaign backed by Britain’s Beer Alliance. The campaign celebrates the positive role of pubs and highlights the challenges they face, specifically an unfair tax burden which is set to increase. The Alliance consists of independent pubs, pub companies, regional, independent, and international breweries. In addition, 25,000 pubs have actively supported the campaign. Further information about the Long Live the Local campaign can be found via www.longlivethelocal.pub
