Boost community pubs and clubs by lowering duty
Boost community pubs and clubs by lowering duty rates Gordon urges the Treasury.
Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden is one of a number of MPs urging Chancellor Alistair Darling to help hard-pressed pubs and clubs by having a lower rate of duty on draught beers in the forthcoming April budget.
Mr. Marsden has joined other colleagues in signing a Commons motion urging the Chancellor to have a different rate of duty for draught beers and ciders as opposed to pre-packaged ones.
“If we want to help hard-pressed pubs and clubs that are vital parts of their communities in Blackpool and elsewhere without encouraging increases in off-trade drinking, giving a financial incentive to drink there should be considered- and backing draught beers is a useful way of doing it,” Mr. Marsden explained.
“It would not encourage binge drinking and it wouldn’t lose the Exchequer much revenue, but it would give traditional pubs some support at a time when too many supermarkets are continuing to challenge their viability with aggressive discounts on bottled and pre-packaged beers and cider”
18/03/09
