Wolverhampton MP calls for beer duty to be cut to help pubs survive Covid-19

Jane Stevenson made the call – alongside almost 50 other Conservative MPs – ahead of the announcement next week.

The Wolverhampton North East MP said pubs needed a "boost" when they reopen their doors as restrictions start to ease.

Ms Stevenson, a member of the All Party Beer Group in Parliament, said: "Pubs are at the heart of communities across Wolverhampton, and it has been a particularly difficult year for them as they have been disproportionately hit by the pandemic.

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"That’s why I am supporting calls for a cut in beer duty to be announced at the Budget next week, to give our pubs a boost as they reopen their doors in a few weeks’ time.

"The Government has provided huge levels of financial support for the pub and hospitality sectors throughout the pandemic, which has been welcomed by pub landlords in my constituency.

"But with UK beer drinkers paying a higher tax compared to other countries, a cut in beer duty would help protect the sector and allow it to fully recover as quickly as possible."

It comes after more than 500,000 people signed a petition by campaign group Long Live the Local which called for a cut in beer duty to be announced.

David Cunningham, programme director for the Long Live the Local campaign group, said: "Beer duty has increased by 60 per cent 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 Wolverhampton that have suffered so much in the last year.

"We are very grateful to Jane Stevenson MP for her 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.”