Fuller’s chairman Michael Turner complained that his company pays 36% of its turnover in tax as beer duty has “got out of hand” in soaring 45% in the past five years. Beer duty now takes up 55p of a £3 pint.
“Multi-nationals are not paying tax, while pubs are paying too much and the Government is going to kill off the Golden Goose.
“They have to look at employment levels in pubs, the tax we do pay and realise soon pubs aren’t going to be making any money,” he warned.
Turner has previously said that the Treasury are “killing” the beer industry, suggesting:
“Why not just focus on successful multi-nationals who are not paying any taxes in this country?”
According to Turner, “everyone” was upset about the tax affairs of companies like Starbucks and Amazon, adding:
“Amazon is taking trade from the high street. If that is happening they should at least pay tax.
“The Treasury has to start looking beyond the end of their noses.”
Turner was speaking as Fuller’s enjoyed a rise in profits by 4% to £17.1m in the six-months to September.
