Hundreds of pubs could go bankrupt if the budget is not cut, beer bosses Hunt have warned
HUNDREDS of beer bosses representing Britain's best-loved brands have begged Jeremy Hunt to cut alcohol duty by five per cent.
In a letter to the Chancellor yesterday, chiefs from companies including Asahi, Budweiser and Greene King warned that hundreds of pubs could go out of business unless crippling rates are cut in the Spring Budget.
It comes as The Sun relaunches our Save our Sups campaign to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and hotels by 75 per cent, which ends in August.
Our campaign is also calling on Mr Hunt not to increase alcohol duty so that the hard-pressed sector does not have to increase drink prices.
Bar and brewery chiefs say the Chancellor could free up 13,000 jobs with a five per cent cut.
He could also prevent a repeat of 2023, when more than 600 pubs were tragically forced to close due to soaring bills, red tape and levies.
In their letter, beer bosses said: “No government should turn a blind eye to the erosion of such an integral economic and cultural asset.
“By supporting a successful and thriving beer and pub sector, we are offering you the shortcut to achieving true Leveling Up in every corner of the country.
“The Spring Budget could ensure that the UK beer and pub sector can contribute to wider growth and prosperity for local high streets and the wider national economy.”
Tory MP Greg Smith backed our campaign and said: “The beer and pub sector delivers both economic and social value to local economies and communities across the country, yet is one of the highest taxed sectors.
“With this Budget, the Chancellor has the opportunity to redress this imbalance through a reduction in beer duty and a cap on business rates.”
Alun Cairns, Conservative MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Beer, added: “It was great to see beer duty frozen again in the last Autumn Declaration, and the introduction of the Brexit Pubs Guarantee means there will always be less tax. have a beer in the pub than at the supermarket.
“The UK's pubs and brewers generate so much value for local economies and communities and it is clear that a beer duty cut in the Spring Budget can be a driver of economic growth and jobs.”
A Treasury spokesperson said: “From April, eligible pubs will continue to receive a 75 per cent discount on their business rates bills, which is in addition to a six-month alcohol duty freeze and our Brexit Pubs Guarantee obligation to reduce duty on tap drinks lower than in stores.”