Press Release: Long Live the Local
/MP Pledges Pub Support
Alan Brown MP has reinforced his support for pubs in his constituency.
The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun has once again shown his support for Long Live the Local’s campaign which calls for a cut in beer duty.
Mr Brown has joined 118 of his constituents (125,000 UK-wide) who signed the petition to help pubs and breweries in the constituency recover and thrive post-covid.
The campaign calls for Rishi Sunak to lower VAT & business rates for pubs and an overall reduction in beer duty ahead of the budget.
The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun wrote to the Chancellor in October last year on the subject as brewing and pubs in the constituency support 886 jobs and contributes £23m to the local economy.
And Mr Brown is delighted to support the campaign again.
Commenting, he said:
“I value the role pubs play within communities. Before the pandemic, I hosted special pop-up events in several premises across the constituency as part of my Parliament in the Pub surgery and I hope to continue this in the future when the time is right as we recover from covid.
“We all know the difficulties they have faced as a result of the pandemic. Therefore, I believe the UK Government should consider cutting unfair taxes on pubs that are hampering their recovery.
“I wrote to the Chancellor last year ahead of the delayed Budget and in his response, he hinted at increases but would not commit to anything. The Treasury tried to argue how much lost revenue they have had from past policy cuts and freezes but I believe this to be disingenuous. As when it suits them, the Tories argue that tax cuts and freezes bring in additional revenue. So what one is it?
“I am pleased to reinforce my support for this campaign. More than 100 of my constituents have signed the petition, along with several others writing to me directly over the issue. Therefore, I stand by them in calling for the Chancellor to lower VAT & business rates for pubs and reduce beer duty at this year’s Budget to support the recovery of pubs.”
