Craig Mackinlay MP has pledged his support for the Long Live the Local campaign to help pubs in South Thanet keep their doors open by calling on the Government to cut beer tax at the Budget.
Craig joins the more than 150,000 people who have signed the petition so far, including 223 pub goers in South Thanet.
With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers now pay 40% of all beer tax across the EU, but drink only 12% of the beer.
In 2018 there were 104 pubs in South Thanet, but this is two fewer than 2017 and will continue to fall if we do not protect pubs. In fact the UK is set to lose 10% of its pubs in the next five years.
This vital sector supports 900,000 jobs and contributes £23b to the UK economy.
Commenting on the campaign, Craig Mackinlay MP said:
“Pubs are at the heart of communities supporting 1,395 jobs in South Thanet alone.
“But with three pubs nationally closing their doors for good every day, the Government really does need to do more to help them survive and thrive.
“That’s why I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to ensure the survival of our locals by cutting beer tax at this year’s Budget.”
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said:
“Beer duty has increased by 60% over the last 17 years and now the UK has one of the highest rates of tax in Europe.
“When over two thirds of all alcoholic drinks purchased in the pub are beers, a cut in beer tax would go a long way to protecting pubs across South Thanet.
“We’re very grateful to Craig Mackinlay MP for his 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 for a cut in beer tax to protect our pubs.”