British Pub Week
Save The Pub Campaign (British Pub Week 2011)
UKIP’s Save The Pub Campaign has been running for over a year. Our aim is to draw attention to the large number of pubs that are closing because of the rising duty on alcohol (especially beer), the smoking ban, the harsh contractual conditions for pub tenants, and competition from supermarkets who price alcohol as a loss-leader, sometimes even below the cost of the duty they pay on it.
The issues
Over the last few years the pub industry has come under attack by both Labour and Coalition governments. Pubs have been closing at an alarming rate; at its peak, 52 per week. This trend has now slowed to a still unacceptable 25 pubs per week. 40,000 jobs have been lost already, and 10,000-15,000 more are going each year. The beer and pub sector sustains over 950,000 jobs in the UK. UKIP believes that pubs are vital to local communities and the country as a whole.
Our policy
• Scrap the Alcohol Duty Escalator, which automatically raises prices 2% above inflation.
• Significantly reduce duty on real ales below 5% ABV.
• Set VAT at 5% for the hospitality industry (Morning Advertiser‘s Thrive on 5 campaign).
• Allow pubs to have separate, well ventilated smoking rooms if they wish.
• Stop supermarkets selling alcohol at less than cost price (including duty).
• Return licensing responsibilities from councils to magistrates for consistent licensing.
• Reduce costs of licensing for live music and entertainment in pubs.
• Review the restrictive contracts between pub companies and tenants.
• Review planning laws to enable pubs to diversify as local shops, post offices etc.
British Pub Week, 28 Oct–6 Nov
Following British Pub Week chairman Inez Ward’s acclaimed speech at our Annual Conference in Eastbourne last month, UKIP has agreed to support British Pub Week 2011 by:
– Organising group and individual visits to local pubs by our 16,000 members nationwide.
– Providing landlords with our Save Our Pubs poster, enabling their regulars to sign the online Petition that Deputy Leader Paul Nuttall MEP will present to the Minister. The pub producing the most valid signatures could win £500.
– Enabling landlords to order FREE Save The Pub beermats.
For more information please visit the British Pub Week website (Opens in new window).
