The Wine & Spirits Trade Association has called on the government to freeze duty on all alcohol, not just beer, if it’s serious about helping pubs as part of its ongoing Call Time on Duty campaign.
The move comes in response to yesterday’s launch of Pubs and the Economy by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) which looks to encourage people to use pubs during the traditionally quiet month of January.
The campaign group says that a slow January could spell the end for some struggling pubs, and encouraged consumers to support their local venues.
Camra chief executive Mike Benner said: “Pubs play an important part in the UK economy and need to be protected and supported. The ‘Pubs and the Economy’ campaign does not only call on people to use their locals in January, but also highlights the importance of the pub industry overall and encourages people to support Camra’s call for a freeze in beer duty in the 2014 budget. This support could play an important role in saving many British pubs.”
Camra is calling on the government to freeze beer duty in the 2014 Budget following the unprecedented 1p cut in 2013 and scrapping of the alcohol duty escalator – which added 2% above inflation to alcohol tax year-on-year.
While the WSTA’s chief executive Miles Beale agrees that pubs are “vital to the economy” he points out that 40% of the value of drinks sold there comes from wine and spirits.
“If the government is serious about helping the pub trade it should freeze duty on all alcohol – wine, spirits, cider and beer. Since 2008, tax on wine has increased by 50% and for spirits by 44%. Freezing duty would help consumers, help pubs and help provide a boost for small businesses.
“Anyone who agrees should visit calltimeonduty.com to share their concerns with their local MP.”
The WSTA’s Call Time on Duty campaign is calling on the Chancellor to “Be Fair George” and cut back on his “alcohol super tax” which sees 57% of the cost of a bottle of wine, and 79% of a bottle of spirits, in the UK go to the Treasury. The campaign urges consumers to lobby their MP to cut back on this tax.
