Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said
“It is disappointing that the Chancellor has ignored widespread public concern about the plight of Britain’s pubs and decided to press ahead with an increase which will result in yet more valued community pubs closing down. Well-run community pubs are already struggling as a result of last year’s 18% increase in beer duty and the recession. This further beer duty increase will push more valued pubs over the edge resulting in job losses, reduced Government tax revenue and many more deprived of their favourite local pub.”
“Well-run pubs provide an enjoyable and affordable night out in a safe and supervised environment and this duty increase will simply fuel irresponsible drinking of cheap discount alcohol in people’s homes, public parks and on the streets.”
‘British drinkers are being singled out for the biggest beer tax increases ever imposed.’ (Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive)
- 18% beer tax increase by Government in 2008 has forced publicans to up real ale prices by an inflation-busting 5.5%, new research from CAMRA shows
- Britain’s drinkers have paid over 3 billion pounds in beer excise duty since March 2008 Budget
- 70,000 people sign up to Axe the Beer Tax campaign. 25,000 have contacted their MP to call for a freeze in beer taxation and abandonment of plans for annual above inflation beer tax hikes
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has spoken out at its distaste for further beer tax increases in this year’s Budget as its board of Directors converged upon one of Britain’s most historic breweries.
On Friday April 17th, CAMRA’s National Executive members gave a rallying call at Harveys brewery
in Lewes, East Sussex, in advance of CAMRA’s national AGM, and Chancellor Alistair Darling’s Budget on April 22nd.
At their annual Conference over one thousand CAMRA members overwhelmingly endorsed a call to freeze excise duties and scrap the beer tax escalator as new research shows the heightening effect taxation is having on beer prices at the bar.
CAMRA’s 2009 Prices Survey shows that-
- The pub price of a pint of real ale has increased by 5.5% since February 2008
- The East Midlands has been hardest hit, with real ale prices increasing by 9.1% since February 2008
- Britain’s independent freehouse pubs are the worst suffering pubs, increasing real ale prices by 6.2% in the last year
Speaking of the new research, Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said:
‘Both the publican and the pub-goer are suffering at the hands of disproportionate increases in beer taxation. Beer prices across the board are increasing way above the rate of inflation and the Government must act now to give well-run community pubs a break.’
Benner continues:
‘In addition to the 18% increase in beer tax last year, the Government appear committed to punishing responsible pub-goers with a 2% above inflation rise in beer tax year after year. A decision to abandon this unfair, inflation-busting tax escalator and freeze beer tax are key remedies for preventing what has previously been described as a ‘bloodbath’ of pub closures across the land.’
‘The Axe the Beer Tax – Save the Pub’ Campaign was launched in November 2008 by the British Beer & Pub Association, and CAMRA. For more information, please visit the campaign website at www.axethebeertax.com
- The RPI (Retail Prices Index) shows that in February 2009, inflation levels were at 0%.
Real Ale- Results of CAMRA’s Annual Prices Survey- conducted between January 19th and February 23rd 2009 in a variety of public houses
Feb ’09 Feb ’08 % Change
UK 259 245 5.5%
By Region
Eastern England 272 256 6.2%
East Midlands 261 239 9.1%
London 279 264 5.8%
North 243 230 5.6%
North West 226 215 5.0%
Northern Ireland 276 234 17.7%
Scotland 266 255 4.3%
South East 273 259 5.4%
South West 250 242 3.4%
Wales 229 225 1.8%
West Midlands 239 231 3.2%
Yorkshire 238 232 2.6%
The following letter has been received by the branch from Stephen Shaw. A copy of the sample letter can be found here. If you do send a letter to your councilor please let you committee know and what the outcome is, if any.
To find if your Council has signed up to the Act check this site: www.localworks.org
To find and contact your Councilors use this site: www.writetothem.com
For urgent action
The Sustainable Communities Act is an amazing new law that came about due to a huge campaign by grass roots organisations. CAMRA played a leading role in the campaign and we now we urgently need your help to ensure it is a success in Kent.
For you to use the Act’s new ‘bottom up’ process your local council must first choose to do so. Unfortunately Kent is one of the few counties in England where neither the county council nor any of the district councils have so far chosen to use the Act’s process.
Please act now – Using the Act’s process means submitting proposals to government by the deadline of 31st July. This deadline is fast approaching. If your council does choose to use the Act it provides an opportunity to protect pubs and further CAMRA campaigns in Kent. It can be used to
a.. Increase the number of pubs eligible for rate relief
b.. Ensure full planning permission is require for convert a pub to another use
c.. Outlaw the use of restrictive covenants that prevent a closed pub being reopened
d.. Allocate funding to initiatives to promote local beers
ACTION - please urgently write your council urging them to ‘Please resolve to use the Sustainable Communities Act by submitting proposals by 31st July > 2009.’ I have attached a sample letter which you can use. More information on how the Sustainable Communities Act works and how to use it Local Works is the national coalition that campaigned for 5 years to see the Sustainable Communities Act made law. To find out all about the radical new ‘bottom up’ process that the Sustainable Communities Act has set up and how you can use it go to our website - www.localworks.org